How we create World Class Operational Excellence – When (Almost) Everyone Gets It Wrong

Posted By Terry Vermeylen


SOP process overviewWhat is Operational Excellence?

OE is a robust and proven methodology to bring the entire Sales and Operations Planning cycle to World Class Standards based on Oliver Wight Process Principals, through which the executive/leadership team continually achieves focus, alignment and synchronization among all functions of the organization.

What are some of the benefits? 

A Sales and Operations process to review, reconcile, re-calibrate and re-communicate the total company operating plan. Customer on time delivery, Inventory accuracy, supplier performance and manufacturing schedule all above 95% accuracy.

Who has used it?

Customers benefiting from OE and attaining World Class Standards include 3M, Caterpillar, Heinz and Pfizer.

How do you execute an Operational Excellence Project?   

  1. Develop a Class A Check List based on Oliver Wight Process Principals on functions and performance metrics.
  2. Develop a Level 2 Audit check list based on major functions with 100 + checkpoints.
  3. Create a project Task Team by department.
  4. Perform an initial audit by function to measure performance based on a scale of 1-5. Perform audits every 3 months to measure progress.
  5. Identify Areas of improvement with the task team and consultants.
  6. Ensure a ROI analysis is performed on improvements to clarify business priorities.
  7. Hold weekly and monthly executive Project meetings to provide status and make sure any issues are escalated.
  8. Improve Audits and Performance metrics until World Class Standards are attained.

Sounds straight forward and simple? It will take a 100% commitment from your CEO, executives and users to optimize your S&OP process. This will revolutionize your business and bring it to World Class Standards.

Terry Vermeylen is a Project Manager, Business Optimization, SAP and Supply Chain expert that has advised the US Navy, spoken at conferences, lost his soul a few times, and inspired teams to the point that they want to hug him.