Process Improvements

Using SIT methods

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Complexities with Processes
Every organisation works according to a set of explicit or implicit processes
These processes can become so ingrained in peoples minds that they are no longer
questioned or improved
If they are changed, it is often in small increments that do not alter the core of the
processes

This leads to stagnation and inefficiency as processes are incrementally

changed to handle circumstances and contexts which they were not initially
created for.

We often do just small incremental updates in the same direction without

thinking outside or inside the box (if this is what we really need)
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New Method for Process Improvements

In this presentation, we will focus on a method called Systematic

Inventive Thinking (SIT) to help shape up processes and future
improvement projects.

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 Systematic Inventive Thinking
A New Approach

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Systematic Inventive Thinking

Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT)

is a study or branch of innovation that focuses on Creativity by Constraints.
provides a new way of looking at process (with the Form/New Process first)
provides us with tools that helps to look at possibilities (that otherwise didnt
seem to exist)

Existing Virtual Idea

Manipulate Benefits Challenges Adaptation
Process Product

New Process(Form) First Function Later

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Creativity by constraints

When we have the whole world to choose from we are often lost with it
but when we restrict our self to what we have then we tend to be the
most creative.

What we are restricted by? is what we

called the closed world.

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Stuck in mud or snow?

What do you usually do when your car tire gets stuck in mud or snow?
What if we apply the closed world principle?
Closed World, in this case, is the Car & the User.
Look inside the car. What can we find that can
be bent and that can provide enough traction for
the wheels?
What do we have inside the car that can bend?
Seat cushions/covers
Floor mats
Pillows (if any)
What can provide enough traction of the 3?
Floor mats!!!

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Benefits of Closed World

By using the closed world principle,

We are forced to
use only what is available with us around the Process/Problem
break our Functional/Structural Fixedness (conventional thoughts about different components of
a process/problem and how they can be used).

We look at possibilities that otherwise doesnt seem to make sense

For instance,
Removing the Test Steps off a Test Case led to Heuristic (using Subtraction)
Moving the function of Test Steps in time led to Scenario based testing (using
Division)

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SIT & Improvement Projects

Process Changes/Improvement projects are often aimed to solve a

particular problem.

By using SIT methodology,

a good identification of what can be done to improve an existing process or
solve any problem with any desired process
can be identified in a time efficient manner along with a quicker solution
using the closed world.

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 SIT Method
How do you do it?

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 SIT Methodology

SIT provides 5 different Manipulation tools

Existing Virtual Idea

Manipulate Benefits Challenges Adaptation
Process Product

Attribute Task
Subtraction Multiplication Division Dependency Unification

Create
Remove an Multiply and Move a Increase a
dependency
essential change a component in component
between
component component space/time tasks
parameters

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 Applying SIT Methodology to Processes

Input
Workshop for
Related Process
Process
Feedback Identification

Improvement
Project

Create New Analyze New

Process/Problem Closed World Virtual Process
Components Identification Process
by Manipulation

Process Change

Refine - SIT Method

Output

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 Input
Input - Gather information Workshop for
Process
Related Process
Identification
Feedback

First step of the process is to collect information/feedback about existing process

through Workshops.

This information gathering will happen in a bottom up fashion, starting from the end
users of the process first. By doing this,
The actual way of working can be compared against its theoretical counterpart.
If there is a delta, reasoning behind that from the actual users can be obtained.
The closed world can be defined along the way since its the actual users handing out feedback
as opposed to a top down approach.

Once all information is gather, the related processes are identified.

At the end of the input stage Problem & Related Process Identification shall be
done.

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 Refining Ideas SIT Method

A SIT Methodology facilitator shall facilitate this part using appropriate

manipulation techniques.
Create New Analyze New
Process/Problem Closed World Virtual Process
Components Identification Process
by Manipulation

The members participating in this stage shall be

Process creator
People providing input
People using the process
People providing the output & the receiver

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 Output - Deliverables

Once the Refining stage is done, the output of it shall either be a

Process Change with clear reasoning
Specification for New Improvement Projects.

Improvement
Project

Refine Ideas

Process Change

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 Hands on
What has been done?

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 Activity Report
SIT Methodology

1) Feedback Test Leaders: Weekly Activity reports take a lot of time and effort.
Project Leaders: We get the issues after 2 weeks at which time, its already too late.
2) Process involved Test Activity (within this the main related part is Reporting)

3) Problem Components Report Qualitative part, Quantitative (issues),

Test Leader Writing the report
Project Leader Reading the report
4) Closed world Tester, Test Leader, Project Leader, DMS, ALM, TAMs tool, IRL.

5) Manipulation Tech Subtraction: Remove the Qualitative part of the report

6) Benefits -Less time to analyze and write qualitative part.

-More focus on issues
-Daily supply of issues to stakeholders
7) Challenges -Issue walkthrough at the end of the activity
8) Adaptation -Issue walkthrough can be done by each team at the end of everyday.

9) Final Idea Send Prioritized issue list instead of qualitative reports

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 Way forward

In my opinion, SIT can be used to create and inspire good

improvement projects based on any feedback that we have about our
processes.

Taking any one of the SIT methodology with any of our process will
definitely lead to a good improvement in efficiency.

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 Thank you

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