Operations managers: use project management (PM) tools and techniques to supercharge efficiency, free up resources, eliminate unnecessary meetings, and get more done faster! Long-time operations manager and PMP-certified project manager Randal Wilson shows how to apply PM to complete the crucial "smaller" tasks that can help your organization quickly achieve sizable performance improvements. Wilson guides you in utilizing PM-style processes, structure, communication techniques, and tools throughout operations, wherever they make sense and drive value. You'll learn how to plan, implement, and measure the success of high-impact changes, and organize key tasks so they actually get done. Wilson introduces specific PM-based techniques for eliminating waste in engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and inventory control, plus a full chapter of insights for improving virtually any supply chain. He shows how to use PM to improve the way you manage teams, schedules, budgets, and other resources, and helps you systematically predict, plan for, and mitigate operational risks. Using PM, you'll learn how to improve cooperation with other managers within operations, in other lines of business, and with senior executives. You'll discover better ways to "design in" efficiency right from the start, and learn how to choose and use tools that make you even more effective over time. The Operations Manager's Toolbox will be an invaluable resource for every current operations manager, everyone moving into operations, and every project manager seeking to apply their skills in new venues.

Table of Contents:
Contents Dedication     v Preface     xii Introduction     xiv Chapter 1 The Power of Completion     1 How Do You Gain Power from Completion?     1 Believing in the Task or Project     2 Proper Assessment of a Task or Project     3 Managing a Task or Project     5 Accountability in Completing a Task or Project     7 Take the Blinders Off     8 Time Is of the Essence     10 Organizing a Task or Project     12 Should a Task Become an Official Project?     17 Operations Manager or Project Manager—Who Are You?     18 Managing Processes Versus Reporting on Progress     19 Power Tools for the Manager     21 Power Tool Summary     23 Chapter 2 Communication Is King     27 Why Communication?     28 The Communication Path     28 Communication Applications     32 Communicating in Meetings     34 Communication Management Plan     37 Power Tool Summary     43 Chapter 3 Fix the Processes     45 What Is a Process?     45 Why Look at the Processes?     46 Process Development     48 Documentation     54 Staffing a Process     56 Training Staff for Processes     57 Monitoring and Measuring a Process     59 Changing the Process     64 Is There a Better Way?     65 Power Tool Summary     67 Chapter 4 Waste Management     69 What Is Waste in an Organization?     69 Process Organization     70 Waste or Manufacturing Cost Reductions?      74 Waste in Procurement     76 Waste in Shipping and Receiving     78 Waste in Facilities     79 Waste in Managerial Decision Making     80 Waste in Meetings and Decision Processing     81 Sustainable Change     84 Power Tool Summary     85 Chapter 5 Managing Your Resources     87 Knowing your Resources     87 Human Resources     89 Managing Versus Leading     93 Allocation of Resources     95 New Managers     96 Capital Equipment     97 Facilities     98 Equipment     100 Power Tools Summary     102 Chapter 6 Budget Control     105 Establishing a Budget     106 Scope of the Budget     108 Controlling a Budget     110 Contracts     123 Conclusion    125 Power Tool Summary     127 Chapter 7 Don’t Be Afraid of Risks     129 Risk in Today’s Operations     129 Risk Versus Uncertainty     134 Risk Management Planning     136 Learn from Your Experiences     152 Power Tool Summary     155 Chapter 8 Synergy in Management     157 Managerial Behavior     157 Managerial Diversity     159 Managerial Relationships     160 Communication System      163 Needs of the Manager     167 Power Tool Summary     169 Chapter 9 Tamper-Proof Training     171 Training Is a Process     171 Training Plan     172 Power Tool Summary     183 Chapter 10 The Weakest Link     187 Procurements     188 Supplier Relationships     191 Suppliers     194 Inventory Control     198 Power Tool Summary     202 Chapter 11 Organizing for Efficiency     205 At What Level Should Organizing Be Done?     207 Design It In     213 Cost Benefit     214 Power Tool Summary     215 Chapter 12 Managing Change     217 Why Change Anything?     218 Problems with Change     220 Types of Change     224 Documentation Changes     228 Change as a Process     229 Power Tool Summary     236 Bibliography     239 Index     241