An engineering approach to business transformation

Abstract

Organisations are subject to change in their environments. In response to these changes, they have the option of transformation - a process of realignment in order to adapt to their circumstances. There are various approaches in management theory and in the consulting industry whereby organisations can realign themselves. These approaches vary from behavioural approaches, management approaches, information technology approaches and financial approaches. Generally they tend to focus on only some of the components of business transformation and neglect those that are outside the boundaries of the particular subject area ofthe approach. Industrial Engineering is a cross-functional discipline that focuses on the improvement of business systems. The author believes that Industrial Engineering provides the right theoretical home for these approaches, and has the ability to integrate the various methods because of its cross-functional perspective. Also, the foundations of many of the current approaches are without substance. It is in these areas where the author believes Industrial Engineering can provide a vast contribution. This thesis uses a generic engineering approach in order to define an integrated and comprehensive framework for business transformation. In doing so, the Industrial Engineering discipline is expanded. This framework is known as Business Engineering. The approach that is presented is based on a phased process consisting of the following elements: • A business analysis phase. • A business design phase. • A business transformation phase. • A business operation phase. These phases are executed through the application of the fundamental engineering skills of innovation, systems thinking and the application of the sciences.

Organisasies word beinvloed deur verandering in hul omgewings. As 'n reaksie hierop kan organisasies getransformeer word - 'n proses van herbelyning ten einde die organisasie in staat te stel om aan te pas by hierdie veranderings. Daar bestaan verskeie benaderings in die bestuursteorie en die konsultasie-industrie waardeur organisasies hulself kan herbelyn. Hierdie benaderings wissel van gedragswetenskaplike benaderings, bestuurswetenskaplike benaderings, benaderings wat baseer is op die implementering van inligtingtegnologie en finansiele benaderings. Dit fokus egter in die algemeen slegs op sommige van die komponente van besigheidstransformasie en ignoreer die komponente wat buite die grense van die spesifieke vakgebied is. Bedryfsingenieurswese is 'n kruisfunksionele dissipline wat fokus op die verbetering van besigheidstelsels. Die outeur glo dat Bedryfsingenieurswese die regte teoretiese tuiste bied vir besigheidstransformasiemetodieke. Bedryfsingenieurswese het, vanwee die kruisfunksionele benadering, die vermoe om die verskillende metodieke te integreer. Die teoretiese grondslag van verskeie van die bestaande benaderings is nie altyd suiwer nie en die outeur is van mening dat Bedryfsingenieurswese grootliks kan bydra tot 'n suiwerder teoretiese grondslag. 'n Generiese ingenieursbenadering word gevolg om 'n omvattende en ge!ntegreerde raamwerk vir besigheidstransformasie saam te stel en die grense van bedryfsingenieurswese hierdeur uit te brei. Hierdie raamwerk staan bekend as Besigheidsingenieurswese. Die benadering wat gevolg word is baseer op 'n die fases van 'n proses wat uit die volgende elemente bestaan: • 'n Besigheidsanalisefase. • 'n Besigheidsontwerpfase. • 'n Besigheidstransformasiefase. • 'n Besigheidsbedryfsfase. Hierdie fases word uitgevoer deur die toepassing van die fundamentele ingenieursvaardighede naamlik innovasie, sisteemdenke en die toepassing van wetenskaplike metodes.