Business Processes Inc.

The BPI website (www.critical-thinking.com) has been redesigned. Come see the articles, videos, audios and become a free member to access bonus articles and videos. We now offer online training, Critical Thinking certificates [for college students who want to gain an edge in their job hunting efforts] AND for experienced problem solvers who want help in their career prospects internally or in the expanding job market we now have the Troubleshooter-I Certificate program. T...his totally online, self-paced program combines online lessons and online coaching to resolve three current job related problems. This will sharpen the cause analysis and root cause skills of even the most experienced problem solvers. Employers want people who have critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Find out more Watch a short informational video including what employers are looking for in the new job market. See more

The First Quarter is on its way Fourth Quarter of the Year is almost over. What's your strategy? Do you have some Critical Thinking Issues that you need resolved? Call us and see how easy it is to get to the root of the issues!... (858) 459-7600 [email protected] http://youtu.be/g4KM7xi8XkU See more

Do you have some Critical Thinking Issues that you need resolved? Call us and see how easy it is to get to the root of the issues! (858) 459-7600 [email protected] http://youtu.be/g4KM7xi8XkU

Buffers one or all? (This POST was submitted by Michael McGinty an editor of this blog and expert consultant on Critical Thinking and Project Management.) Eliyahu Goldratt is credited by many as the author of the Theory of Constraints a powerful concept which created something of a revolution in process improvement. He applied these insights to project management in his book on Critical Chain. Here at BPI, we share some of his key insights with project leaders when they a...ttend our one-day workshop in Systematic Project Management. Goldratt teaches us that one of the best ways to ensure projects don’t violate their deadlines is to re-think our treatment of buffers. What people typically do, unconsciously, is they build in a buffer for every action step in their project. For example, let’s say that based on our previous experience, we know that a particular task usually takes about 3 hours to complete. However, when we create our project plan, most of us will allocate more time to complete that task you know, just to cover our bases. So, the task that usually only takes us three hours to complete might instead be scheduled to take five hours. And we do this for every action step in our plan, which stretches out the project timeline. We unconsciously set our project deadlines based on a ‘worst-case scenario’ with these frozen buffers. Goldratt teaches there’s a way to guard against this but without putting your plan at risk. He says to schedule the average time it takes for each action step, and then build your buffer into the back end of the project. So, a task that typically takes three hours is scheduled for exactly three hours. The additional two-hour buffer is built into the tail-end of the project. You might ask, Why is that any better? You’re still allotting five hours for that step! That’s true, but the location of the buffer is crucial. When buffers are built into each step, the time is not available to help other steps. And, if something actually does get done on time, other people/resources are not ready because they didn’t plan for it to get done early. By scheduling the average time for each action step and collecting the buffers in one place, other people can be prepared for a quick hand-off to the next task plus they can dip into the common project buffer when needed that’s what it’s there for! In this way, Goldratt’s techniques are helping companies complete projects in what seems like ‘record-time’, 50% less time or better is not unusual! But for those of us in-the-know, it’s just ‘average time’! http://www.critical-thinking.com

Critical Thinking Gives people a new and dramatic boost in thinking effectiveness with mastery of a clear, simple, thinking framework with tools that can address any issue. Critical thinking methods are modeled, practiced, and then applied to the real job issues of participants. These thinking methods work for applications of all types including process improvement teams, individuals and any time collaboration and clear thinking are important. http://www.critical-thinking.com/critical-thinking

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If you are currently spending time lining up workshops for 2014, visit our site and see why you want to make sure Critical Thinking Practices are first on that list. It is the foundation that all other workshops will grow on. http://www.critical-thinking.com/project-management Call us and see how easy it is to get to the root of the issues! (858) 459-7600

Do you as an executive, schedule as much time with continuing education as you expect your staff to do? This is 2 hours! You will look be the C level executive you want them to see, when you use the tools you receive from this briefing This Executive Briefing is designed for anyone at the Director, Vice President or C Level. Valuable to anyone who works on a team, trains teams, manages a team, or has employees. ... Well worth the $25.00 for lunch, plus 3 highly effective take home tools, that can be utilized that same day and 3 world class presenters who have made themselves available for us! www.CeruleanLeadership.com 310-702-2583 Sorry No tickets at the door. RSVP today Limited Seating is Available

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