Good processes

Do we want to design processes that are ‘good’?

Well, we first have to define ‘good’.

I would suggest that ‘good’ processes are consistent processes. If a process is consistent, we can observe it, measure it and understand it. Then we can improve it, secure in the knowledge it will perform better - consistently.

If a process is inconsistent or erratic we can do none of those things. We first have to  understand why it is inconsistent and that can be a major study in itself So it consumes resources at this stage before we can start improvement activity.

Our aim, therefore, is to design processes that behave predictably and consistently. We can then claim to have designed a good process.