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| Information Workflow |
Let's start with some definitions...
Automation - The use of computers to control a particular process in order to increase reliability and efficiency, often through the replacement of employees. For a manufacturer, this could entail using robotic assembly lines to manufacture a product.
(Investor Words)
OK, seems a bit harsh on the replacement part but it has happened. Moving on.
Workflow Automation - Use of email based software technology to increase the efficiency of a workflow by improving the coordination of the activities of the people involved. Workflow automation helps to ensure that at the right time the right person gets the right information about what needs to be done and in what order.
(Business Dictionary)
Autonomation - Technological innovation that enables machines to work harmoniously with their operators by giving them the 'human touch.' Called jidoka in Japanese, it employs automatic and semi-automatic processes to reduce physical and mental load on the workers. Introduced by Sakichi Toyoda.
(Business Dictionary)
Workflow Automation - Use of email based software technology to increase the efficiency of a workflow by improving the coordination of the activities of the people involved. Workflow automation helps to ensure that at the right time the right person gets the right information about what needs to be done and in what order.
(Business Dictionary)
Autonomation - Technological innovation that enables machines to work harmoniously with their operators by giving them the 'human touch.' Called jidoka in Japanese, it employs automatic and semi-automatic processes to reduce physical and mental load on the workers. Introduced by Sakichi Toyoda.
(Business Dictionary)
Let's look at our information processing again; creating, moving, reviewing, and storing.
Creating anything will most likely be left to the sentient lifeforms, which leaves out the computers that merely perform the tasks they are programmed to execute. What we can do is develop systems that help us enter data faster much like barcodes, selection criteria, and templates for standard entry. Reviewing (Inspection) information and documents is a favorite past-time that requires Subject Matter Experts to inspect quality into the statements we have misrepresented either overtly or by mistake. Thinking about the menial tasks the computers can (and should) do instead of expensive professionals. These could be signalling or notifying, and moving documents from one person to another.
This leaves us the moving and storing of information. Many times I have seen "us" use email to move documents through the value-adders. While this is not a wrong thing to do, by itself, but you have to consider all the other emails "we" receive throughout the day and then attempt to consider a value basis for it. Our definition of Workflow Automation begins with "email based software", this does not necessarily mean email software. Database programming software has email functions built in and these can be used for signalling when a document is ready for more work, and again this is another email in the hundreds we receive per day.
Storing documents is sometimes needed when cycle times are multiple days and the work-in-process is high. How well is your data library organized? How long does it take someone to find the file? How many multiple versions (or multiple same versions) do you have in your storage system? These are just some easy questions you need to be able to answer. And then does everyone know the rules of the storage system? Do they really? This stuff is not intuitive for everyone.
Automating information processes must by carefully considered as to whether you want the system to control the flow, inform team members when their input is needed, or both. Whatever you and the team decides, there must be operating rules established that everyone follows. Adapt the operating rules if you find problems with them. If you ignore your responsibilities in maintaining them you will find that no one is following them.
Creating anything will most likely be left to the sentient lifeforms, which leaves out the computers that merely perform the tasks they are programmed to execute. What we can do is develop systems that help us enter data faster much like barcodes, selection criteria, and templates for standard entry. Reviewing (Inspection) information and documents is a favorite past-time that requires Subject Matter Experts to inspect quality into the statements we have misrepresented either overtly or by mistake. Thinking about the menial tasks the computers can (and should) do instead of expensive professionals. These could be signalling or notifying, and moving documents from one person to another.
Storing documents is sometimes needed when cycle times are multiple days and the work-in-process is high. How well is your data library organized? How long does it take someone to find the file? How many multiple versions (or multiple same versions) do you have in your storage system? These are just some easy questions you need to be able to answer. And then does everyone know the rules of the storage system? Do they really? This stuff is not intuitive for everyone.
Automating information processes must by carefully considered as to whether you want the system to control the flow, inform team members when their input is needed, or both. Whatever you and the team decides, there must be operating rules established that everyone follows. Adapt the operating rules if you find problems with them. If you ignore your responsibilities in maintaining them you will find that no one is following them.
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