Designing a process manual and improving processes

Abstract

The aim of this report is to provide the reader information about the BPJ 420 year project. A company is selected and problems within the company are identified. The student is required to solve these problems with the knowledge obtained from his/her 4 year Industrial Engineering study course. Fast „n Fresh (FnF) is a leading transport service provider in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. The business was founded in 1992 with only 4 vehicles and has increased up to 200 vehicles in 2007. They are currently still operating at this number of vehicles. Woolworths, their largest customer represents 78% of their services, whereas the other 12% are represented by companies for example, Rainbow and Tiger Brands. Because Woolworths and FnF work in close partnership to improve performance and processes, Woolworths approached FnF and requested that they introduce a Business Excellence Charter (BEC) into their business. The BEC is a mean to improve business performance within a company. The problem of the project is described as FnF wanting the student to document their business processes and compile a process manual which can be used for training purposes. In the light of documenting these processes the student must also identify processes which can be improved and give recommendations for improvement. A literature review was done to study methods and techniques to solve this problem. The best methods to solve this problem were then selected and used to design a solution. A combination of techniques was used to develop a problem solving method for the problem at FnF. This method includes a Capability Maturity Model, Business Process Management and Process modelling tools. This developed method was then used to solve the problem. The outcome of the solution is also discussed in the report. To conclude, the problem identified at FnF can now be approached and solved with the problem solving method designed by the student.