Saurabh Gorantiwar

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. This technique is strategic tools for accessing business in these four aspects. As you access your business in these areas, It support what you have and use for the advantages of the business and you can focus on the reduction of hazards which may create a challenge to your business. As uses by business to analyze the current scenarios and to plan the upcoming strategy . You can identify what is in favors of business, what are not favorable and how to achieve it. To drive all these ares SWOT analysis is perfect tool. To perform SWOT Analysis , It should be done in 2 X 2 Matrix. Each matrix has an area for S , W , O and T. First Matrix is ‘S’ – It stands for Strengths. In this matrix , You should focus on the area where you are doing better. In this area you may be doing better than your competitors. In this area you should always focus on your USP (Unique selling point). When you focus on strength ensure that it is real strength not a mere requirement. You can put example like your process , your quality , Cost etc. Second Matrix is ‘W’ – It stands for Weaknesses. In this matrix, You should focus on the areas you need to improve. In this area Honesty is the best policy. In this area when you compete yourself with your competitor that makes you behind. You can also take view from other stakeholder how they see you as compare to competitors. And then thinks the areas which you could improve or avoid the current practice. Third Matrix is ‘O’ – It stands for Opportunities. Opportunities are the situation which might happen and may give you a positive benefits and you can grasp them. These are usually happens outside your area and you need to focus on it . In this matrix you can collect all these areas. You can focus on new development in market , New Government policy or any major market strategies which may support your business. Fourth Matrix is ‘T’ – It stands for Threats. Threats are the situations happens outside your business which can give negative effects. These are the obstacles that you face for your business to perform. In this matrix you need to collect all the threats and take a suitable action on the same before it arises. Here you can also focuses on your competitors but do not do what they do. Keep your focus on the solving or reducing the impact before it arise. The situation like New technology evolve, Future supply chain problem , Natural calamity affecting the process , Pandemic scenario , Labor challenges. These can be an example for Threats in business. How to you use it in business excellence. The major advantages of SWOT analysis is to provide input to the business excellence team and transform the Business. These are some of the areas where we can use SWOT for business excellence. 1. Business excellence team can structure to their working philosophy with SWOT of overall business. 2. SWOT will give input for business excellence team for driving improvement. 3. It help business excellence team to determine initiative and Project. 4. Team can also use SWOT analysis approach for input generation during start of the project. 5. This can be used inline with VOC-QFD analysis for generation of major Areas for development of Long term plan. 6. Business excellence team can also use SWOT analysis for re-design the process and make the system more Agile to face a future challenge. Conclusion SWOT analysis in one of the best strategic tool use for business as Good business must be competitive. This Analysis help us to visualize the AS IS scenario of the business and support to be work on it. This analysis is not restricted to the business. We can use SWOT analysis for Personal development ,Employee development , Business Process Management. The beauty of this analysis is we can think what stop us to improve and how we can improve in 2 X 2 Matrix.

Kamishibai is a Japanese word for “ Paper theatre” means storytelling. In this process audience saw and heard the story of the character in the play and try to compare their life with them. This is one of the prime focus of the life is self audit. This tools first launched in Toyoto production system and use to visual control for performing audit within manufacturing process. In Lean Manufacturing , It is a practical visual control tool which promote easy allocation , execution and follow up of the activities. It support the better control the activities that are lined up. This board can be used for hourly , Daily , weekly or monthly activity also. It depends upon the application area. This board is consist of mainly two colour card system (Popular know as T- cards) which show all the activities and abnormalities with relevant information. This board help Leader or the supervisor to follow up the better activity and plan the actions. It also add structure to Perfect Gemba walk. As during GEMBA walk it brings attention of Leadership team and support them to for auditing the process and drive standardization of the process. This is one of the prime reason this board used to place near workplace. This make it to availability in visible range. This all application of board support the genchi gembutsu principle of Audit. This can be used in the Service department also. As Now a days this board has converted to digital format. As one of the best example can be used for Office 5S and other office communication like Banking where all the transactional activities can be easily tracked.

Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a developing model work by focusing on rapid prototype and quick feed back over long time planning and testing. RAD approach is building on the continuous requirement from the learning as drawn from development progress. RAD consider prototype in place of design specification. RAD model is majorly include Agile or Spiral method. RAD is also known as James Martin’s method of RAPID development. This method has four phases Requirement Planning This phase is one of the important phases for the development where Team discuss and agree on the business needs, Project scope and system requirements. The output of this step is an agreement with key priorities and management authorization. Prototype development (User design) During this phase the model will be developed (prototype) that represent Input Process and output. This model will be in continuous building stage with user and where they can work, Improve and approve the same. Design Construction During this phase user can also give their input for development, But this step is more focusing on the programming, application development and testing. Implementation and Release. This is a final step of the process where the new system will be built with all requirements like final testing, changeover in the user base and Training. As RAD process focuses is preferred over big planning as due to less shorter planning phase it can focuses on highly iterative design. It gives user to provide input speedily and focus on continuous development. This help team to accomplish more in shorter duration and It also help user attention and satisfaction. Software industries are more preferred for the RAD method . In other industry use of RAD may be depend on the kind of Operation and the processes. Specially Industry like marketing , RAD approach can be useful for the development. In Manufacturing industry, It can be restricted at few steps as lot of iteration may not be possible. This needs lot of planning. But even in manufacturing this can be useful at certain stages.

During Process Establishment and Execution, It is always challenging to finalizing who is responsible for the execution of the task and decision finalization. It leads to confusion in Execution of the project and meeting the deadline. This also create challenging to the organization for resource level allocation for the overload and underload resources. To resolve this problem , It in important to finalize the scope and responsibilities of the task by doing the responsibility delegation at every level of the organization. This ensure the responsibility is clearly visible and the task execution will be easy and in timeline. There are different methods of executing these matrix for delegation. RAPID and DACI is one of the common method to do the same. R :Recommend A : Agree P : Perform I : Input D: Decide RAPID Matrix is one of the matrix used for problem solving and responsibility delegation. In RAPID Matrix the roles are performed in sequence as Recommend , Agree , Perform , Input and Decide. The person with role of recommend a action plan with fact and data. This is first step pf the Process. In case of Agree ,there are numbers of people who must agree on the recommendations. These is a group of People who agree on the action before moving to Input , which is most critical steps. In Input Role the hard facts are presented for recommendation. In Next step of Decide , This is a one person role who will take final decision. This is mostly Leadership position. The last role is to Perform the task after the decision. In comparison with RACI (Responsible , Accountable , Consulted and Informed). It is most popular approach. RACI And RAPID has different areas to use , RACI is a responsibility matrix while RAPID is decision making Process. In Case of small /trival issue not recommended to gor for RAPID. It support the big decision making process. One of the most benefits in RAPID is to help people not to work in SILO. In DACI Matrix The roles are divided in four stages D : Driver A : Approver C : Contributor I : Informed Driver : The Person who drive the team for the decision. They need to ensure that all stake holders are on the same platform for the decision. Approver : This is a person who approve the decision or actions. Contributors : These are the People who contribute for the final decision making who has knowledge for the same Informed : These are the role which are effected by the decision but not part of decision making process. As compare to RACI matrix , In Case of DACI Driver is very important. As Driver has all responsibility to drive the decision making process. As if in the process some one hold each decision and drive it to the end. It gives great results. One of the major benefit of this matrix is great in clearing the confusion of decision making. This major difference in Drive is important factor as compare to responsible. As there might be lot of responsible person but there will be single driver.

Backcasting is one of the Planning method that start with the defining the desirable future and then works backwards that will connect the specified future to the current scenario. The method were outlined by John B. Robinson in 1990. The process is based on fundamental question “If we want to attain a Goal , What action must be taken to get their“ Backcasting is considered as opposite to forecasting in data analytics. Backcasting is a method in which future desired condition are focused and steps are planned to attain those conditions than to focus on current plan which can be extrapolate to future. This primary method is opposing to the forecasting where the future is predicted considering current trend. One of the most important benefit of the method is we first imagine the successful outcome and then we work backward to identify critical variable and scenarios to reach the desired outcome. So It helps us to identify and introduce more creative ideas. We can apply it in problem solving by below sequence 1. Plan the desired future or long term Goal and start with challenge statement. 2. Work backward and Identify Important steps. 3. Consider necessary steps required to achieve goal, Consider all steps one by one. 4. Define the actions to achieve it. 5. Finalize the plan and Implement It. Conclusion Backcasting can be very easy to use and beneficial tool for Lean Managers which help solving the different problem by focusing between future and Present (good enough). This help us to identify the path with creative innovation for working towards improved purpose.

Delphi Technique is a problem solving methodology based on discussion of Expert. Planning is most important aspect of problem solving. This technique help to understand future event which impact your outcome. In this technique group of expert exchange their views and give their assumptions to facilitator who again review the process and share output. This process continues till the all reach consensus. This process has done in stepwise manner as per below steps 1. Choose the facilitator This is first step of the process. Facilitator should be identified in the organization. During the selection of facilitator ensure that person must be aware about the data and research link to the topic. 2. Identify the experts. This is important steps for the identification of Panel. The Panel may include the different People form different area like customer, Supplier or People from your projects. But ensure that the selected Panel must have knowledge and expertise in the topic. 3. Define the Problem Start the discussion on the Problem, ensure that you must give background of the problem to the Panel with precise and comprehensive data. 4. Asking the questions. In this step you can start asking the questions to the Panel. This questions can be done in survey mode or questionnaire. You can do it in 3 round starting with general question in first round and summarize the result. Then you proceed deeper questions on specific issues with focusing to remove areas looking with common ground. In last round you can focus on decision making with questionnaire for common agreement. You can continue to more round also if required. 5. Act on your finding. As you receive the findings. Focus on Analyze the same and Put your plan in place to work on the solving the problem. Advantage of Delphi Technique over Nominal Group Technique 1. It Allows collection of expert view as compare to Nominal group technique for problem solving. 2. Delphi technique allows to integrate each ideas as compare to Nominal group technique where the focus on ranking of Ideas. 3. Discussion happens with expert view as round happens to deeper discussion as compare to Nominal group technique where no way to identify why individual voted for the idea.

Parkinson’s Law communicates that work expand to fill the time available for its completion. It means ‘How long you work on something depends almost entirely on the amount of time you have to do it. This is can also be proven with the studies that the smaller team were most efficient in delivering result in quick time as compare to large teams as Later waste their most time is discussion and other non-value added points. One of the best proverb use to define in social scenario is “ Officials make more work for each other” This is also one of the classical example seen in industry also. It can also be seen through use of Effort and time Analysis. How to use it to Improve Productivity of Team? Set a target and Deadline : It is one of the important aspect of driving team efficiency , As you give deadline based target. It help teams to drive the task and not making their mind to make anything happen. So set and aggressive deadlines and make it better over the journey. Limit task to the important than trivial few. – Pareto principle ( 80/20 Rule ) should be applied to the task management . The things which matter most should not be at the mercy of which matter least. Kill the minor time killers – There are certain minor time killers like big mail , extra reading which kill the productivity , This need to be implemented not only in you but also in the team.

FIFO – First In First Out LIFO – Last In First Out FIFO and LIFO are the two most common inventory cost methods companies use for the costs of purchased inventory on the balance sheet. As Inventory plays a critical role in a business for financial management, it is likely that inventory is the largest asset category in terms of value. As inventory is the major current asset on the balance sheet of firms that sell products, These two methods gain most important aspect of the Inventory Management. FIFO – First In First Out This is the most preferred the method used by industries , It is specially used by companies where the inventories are perishable. The product has an expiry which will be expired with the time.In this method the material comes to warehouse/storage first will be exit first for the use. It is one of the preferred method where the rising price tend is available. In this method where the prices trend goes up. It gives you opportunity to sell the lowest price product sold with current price. Which gives you high margin and high bottom line. Example : In a ware house of Chemical Plant , The Raw material is coming every month and Assume the cost of the in coming RM goes up by 1.0 % every month. The RM coming to Jan is cost 1.0 Rs/Kg while RM come to Plant in Feb is 1.01 Rs/Kg and March is 1.02 Rs/Kg. Also the RM has expiry of 6 month. Let us Understand how FIFO works. Assume we Receive 1000 KGS RM in month If In March I sell the Material of Jan It help me to increase the bottom line (Profit ) of the companies and Also It support me to use the expiry of the product which expires after 6 month. Above Example result shows below inferences 1. The bottom line of the companies is goes up which help in investor and banks to support you in business environment. 2. It increases your tax liability as profit is high. 3. The process is better if Cost going down of product. 4. This is most standard inventory method use worldwide for Accurate reference. LIFO – Last In First Out This is not the most preferred the method used by industries, The assumption is that the firm sells the last unit of inventory purchased first In this method the material comes to warehouse/storage last will be exit first for the use. Changing Inventory method from FIFO to LIFO or vice versa impact major on your profit margin and support tax structure. So It is important to take approval for the same. Example : Let us see the same example with LIFO Above Example result shows below inferences 1. The bottom line of the companies is down as compare to FIFO. 2. As It goes down It also impact to reduce you tax liabilities. 3. The process is better if Cost going up of product. 4. This is not standard method across the world for Inventory management. Now Where LIFO Used ? Businesses that sell products that rise in price every year benefit from using LIFO , example like tobacco , Fuel Industries where the price has a rising trend they use LIFO to ( Irrespective of the our example where selling price we consider constant as 2.0 Rs Kg). It helps companies as price goes up the profit also goes up and support tax liability. Where they take benefits of High revenue as compare to bottom line.

The Cynefin Framework is Concept based Structural technique which help to support decision making for the different situation. It has been created by Dave Snowden in 1999 during his association with IBM Global services. The root of the work lies in Cynefin which is a British word for Habitat focuses on simple habit during complex times. This technique is also known as Sense making tool. As this helps manager in the organizations to identify to perceive situations and make sense of their own and other people's behavior in order to solve the complex issue. This technique is also known as Leader’s framework for solving decision making. It also helps leaders sense in which they can not only make a solution to problem in right approach but also Avoid the problem which come with thein leadership style which causes mistake in certain areas. This tools also help leaders to consider their response for Unpredictable scenario arising in the organization. This technique is based on the four major domain Simple, Complex, Chaotic and complicated. All this four domain have unique response for different challenges. This four domains has been divided into 2 section , Ordered where Simple and Complicated are comes under “ordered” where cause and effect are known or can be discovered. While two domains are Chaotic, and Complex are “Unordered” where cause and effect are deduced only with hindsight or not at all. 1. Simple This Domain comes under the section of Ordered, Where the clear cause-and-effect relationships that are easily discernible by everyone so solution or self evident and undisputed. This means if you do X, expect Y , So The solution for this situation is Sense -Categorize-Respond. It focuses on straight forward Management Where Leaders Sense or Access the fact of the situations , categorize them, and then base their response on established practice. One of the most common example in industries is Problem arising when new Person join the organization and his requirement are different as per his personal areas. In this case Manager can focuses on Policy available in the organization. As this can be solve by using Best Practice. Where Directives are straightforward and decision can be either delegate (May be to HR ) or taken. 2. Complicated This Domain comes under the section of Ordered, Where the clear cause-and-effect relationships that require certain Analysis or expertise support. This means if you do X, to get Y Analyze phase is required , So The solution for this situation is Sense -Analyze-Respond. In case of Simple domain you need fact and categorize which shifted to Analyze in case of Complicated. This approach is depends upon the expertise level. One of the most common example in industries is to tackle with Machine Maintenance issue. As we have encounter lot of maintenance practice. But in case of difficult issue we need to RCA as SOP or Best practices does not work . Here If the Problem is big we need to take expertise of the Machine expert who focuses on different Learning and Analysis Like vibration analysis , Reliability analysis. 3. Complex This Domain comes under the section of Unordered, Where the clear cause-and-effect deduced in retrospect, and there are no right answers. This is one of the most common domain encounter in the organization as Industry is facing continuous change like Business scenario , Market Demand ,New competitor etc. In this domain, we can understand why things happen only in past scenerion and we can survey the same. That is why The solution for this situation is Probe-Sense -Respond. One of the most common example is the current scenario of COVID-19 where all industry are facing different challenges in Operation , Logistic . Where you need to run Operation in complex situation , As Material is not available. You need to focus on quick option change in RM , New vendor development. Initially It took long time. But In this situation the approach must be change. Similary Government has develop Covid Vaccine in quick time considering few experiment and ensuring that are safe to fail. Current scenario is very good example of Complex domain. 4. Chaotic This Domain comes under the section of Unordered, Where relationship between cause and effect is unclear because the shifting pattern is very high and high level of turbulence exist. This domain challenges are based on Act- sense-Respond. This is one of the most common domain encounter in the Strong Leaders life once in the lifetime. It is more on the how leader can act and sense the situation where he can try to stabilize and then respond to the situation. On of the most common example like Natural calamity where the leader focuses on not to discover patterns but to stanch the bleeding. Where Leader focuses on Acting tough on decision and sense to support people to save and then focuses on re-establishment. This is a prime example of Leadership style known as crisis management. leaders who are highly successful in chaotic contexts can develop an overinflated self-image, becoming legends in their own minds. We have lot of Great Leaders in organization who handle in crisis management. Specially we have seen lot of Industries lost the entire factory due to Explosion. But the leaders Act and Done the best to support the real sense of the organization. Then they Transform the new development. The Cynefin Framework is the best tools for Leaders to understand the current scenario of their management style and help them to adapt the different style as per requirement of the problems. They also prepare their organization to understand the different contexts of the business and how to respond during different conditions.

Super Market is one of the most important tool in Lean manufacturing used for Optimization of Warehouse strategy and Supply chain excellence. This process support the strategy of fulfillment of Inventory at certain interval after it has been used by the customer. It ensure that the consumable will be filled after the customer use and create Gap for Ideal inventory. It focus on best management of Inventory. The Supermarket strategy focuses elimination Of LEAN waste like Transportation , As It is focusing on the Reduction of Material handling time. As It ensure that the Materials require on high frequency to be keep near to the requirement source. It ensure the Cycle time for Access of the part is Less. One of the common method to ensure of the same is KANBAN. There are lot of tools are used to work and improve efficiency of the supermarket are Visual Management , Min-Max , Electrical signal and Best Trial know as Milk Run. All this strategy with KANBAN make Supermarket excellence for Supply chain excellence