A Systems Approach to Reengineering Business Processes Towards Concurrent Engineering Principles

This thesis presents a description of a soft system methodology for business process improvement. The research is based on earlier work by Cole [ 1997|. It extends and adds rigour to that w'ork and presents original knowledge which is shown to be particularly useful in creating hierarchies of process knowledge. A new form of process model is presented. These exhibit richer systemic attributes than previous work could provide. The ideas described have been extensively tested in industrial contexts. The case studies presented were an attempt to systematically and holistically examine business processes in systems engineering companies to adopt and practice concurrent engineering principles. In order to maintain a sound methodological approach the author began this research with a thorough review of the literature on concurrent engineering, systems thinking, and the management of process change (which includes 'total quality management' and 'business process reengineering'). Together, the knowledge obtained from the systems thinking and change management literature is considered instrumental in managing the change of processes; where the objective is taken to be the full adoption of concurrent engineering pri nciples. I he literature review identifies a spectrum of systems types and a spectrum of systems investigation techniques focused around process modelling. How'ever, no single systems type or investigation technique is considered entirely appropriate for supporting the management of processes improvement towards concurrent engineering principles. Therefore, the author has derived and defined a new systems type (known as 'qnasi- hard'} and some new investigative techniques to match; which are called the 'Process OrientatedHolonic' (PrOH) modelling techniques. These are derived from both 'hard' and 'soft' systems thinking so that business processes can be depicted in an unambiguous, hierarchical manner, and express issues pertinent to human activity systems. It has been necessary to develop these new techniques in an 'action research' style. This has meant that industry has actively participated in their evolution. In return, the collaborating companies have benefited by having their processes modelled and critiqued, these arc described in two case studies. The academic community has also benefited from this research through numerous publications and presentations. The author believes that this programme of research has been very successful in meeting its objectives.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

De Montfort University

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Clegg, B. T.

Licence

• https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstreams/1a5b3078-5b31-4b6f-884e-cba2e6d74210/download