I’ve said before that people are more important that process.
I’ve said it in many different ways and in many different articles. After every article, I receive responses from readers similar to these:
After receiving these types of responses, I always have to go back and say the same thing…I agree. I agree. I agree.
Good processes are important. Good processes drive efficiency Good processes drive execution.
I also receive a lot of comments about process improvement, six sigma, continuos improvement, etc etc. All good stuff too. John Bauer has some great ideas about process improvement. Glenn Whitfield has some wonderful thoughts on the subject as well.
But…what is a good process?
According to the IT Toolbox, a good process should have the following characteristics:
- Transparent
- Obvious
- Complete
- Efficient
- Predictable
Not a bad set of characteristics…all things that I’d consider making up a good process.
People over Process (?)
If I believe that processes are important, why do I still stay that people are more important?
Because a process is …. well … a process.
Process is a cog in the machine. Process is an activity. Process is something to be done.
Can process exist without people? Sure it can.
Do good processes always lead to good outcomes. Not always but they give you a better opportunity to succeed.
Can good processes exist without people? Not really.
You can’t have a transparent process without people around that understand what should be occurring during the process. The same can be said of the other aspects of a ‘good process’.
Good People Make Good Processes
Rather than saying ‘process over people’ in the future, I think I’ll starting saying “good people make good processes”.
Perhaps I”ll add one more word to make this:
Good People. Good Processes. Good Strategy.
Those three things can make an organization unstoppable.
24 responses to “Good People…Good Processes”
Good People…Good Processes http://restwrx.com/9coMSv via @EricDBrown
Published -Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS
RT @ericdbrown Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS (Outstanding insight!)
#baot Reading: Good People…Good Processes http://ht.ly/190h4s
Your triumvirate of people, process and strategy is a great wrap-up to balancing your points.
One related quote that has stuck with me but I can’t remember where I heard it:
Process drives communication.
Think of a matrix-ed team of really good, smart folks … without some process to leverage, how can they achieve any goal efficiently?
Process Drives Communications…love that quote.
Very good point John…without a process, a matrixed team is in a world of hurt.
[Amen, brother!] Good People Make Good Processes | Eric D. Brown http://bit.ly/c8tzFX
@ericdbrown Published -Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS <JB:Good stuff, I added a brief comment
“@ericdbrown: Published -Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS”
Don't design process around the LCD. Assume good people.
3 things to make organizations unstoppable: Good People. Good Processes. Good strategy. http://tinyurl.com/3adq5mf
RT @YvonneSum: 3 things to make organizations unstoppable: Good People. Good Processes. Good strategy. http://tinyurl.com/3adq5mf
RT @mcottmeyer: Interesting Post… Good People…Good Processes http://dlvr.it/5Xdhc
Good People…Good Processes http://bit.ly/c7ViXv
RT @jamienotter: Good People…Good Processes http://bit.ly/c7ViXv
RT @sreardon: RT @ericdbrown Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS (Outstanding insight!) >>Agree
RT @ZaneSafrit: RT @sreardon: RT @ericdbrown Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS (Outstanding insight!) >>Agree
RT @ZaneSafrit: RT @sreardon: RT @ericdbrown Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS (Outstanding insight!) >>Agree
RT @sreardon: RT @ericdbrown Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS (Outstanding insight!) >>Agree
RT @JenniferSertl @ZaneSafrit: RT @sreardon: RT @ericdbrown Good People…Good Processes – http://bit.ly/bhHZHS < also Culture!
RT @ericdbrown: Good People…Good Processes http://bit.ly/bhHZHS #pmot
@agilescout thanksf or the RT of Good People…Good Processes http://bit.ly/bhHZHS
Eric Brown: Good People…Good Processes http://is.gd/fsHC1
In lean thinking, which has greatly influenced the agile movement, there are two pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement. Most people outside toyota do not realize that the respect for people pillar has spawned many, many “famous tools” that are ubiquitous now.
Yes, great people and great processes produce wonderful service and great products.
[…] been known to say (and write) that I don’t like process for process sake. Of course, a good process is a good thing.But…what is a good process?Is it one that works? One that gets the job done? […]