Process Masters

Topic	Details
Timeline	> Conceptualisation 26th Sep 2014 > Practices and rehearsals 10th Oct 2014 > Game manuals 24th Oct 2014 > Process Masters I 27th Oct 2014 > Process Masters II 27th Nov 2014 > Process Masters III 27th Nov 2015
Best Practices	> High ROI. Low budget (A$600) high impact launch concept > Short lead time. It took one month to set the business game > Ownership from business. Strong participation of business in conceptualisation > Website. Comprehensive website attracted high visitors > Pull vs push. Staff “pulled” information about the new sourcing processes from the website than being “pushed” into > Collaboration. Registration requirement that teams of 5 have to be cross functional motivated collaboration > VIP teams. Participation of management teams in business game > CEO. CEO’s participation in opening speech and prize presentations > Multiplication effect. Sourcing department in Beijing adopted the concept by modifying it and running it 3 times in Beijing
Areas for improvement	> Make it leaner. Reduce number of practices and rehearsals > Pre approved budget. Secure budget for launch expenses earlier

Gallery

Conceptualisation. 26th Sep 2014.

Towards the end of the project, the project team
produced a 32 page sourcing handbook
which they wanted to roll-out the the company
In order to make this roll-out a success
I wanted to create opportunities for staff to learn-by-doing
I conceptualised 3 different roll-out concepts for the project team to consider
Eventually the project team selected
concept 3, a business game which was eventually named “Process Masters”
I further discussed the concept with the project team
to fine-tune it and to further improve the concept
Based on their initial feedback
we finally had a complete business game concept
which was based on the sourcing process highlighting the new and improved steps
However, there was sill a lot of preparations to be done to bring the game to “live”.

Practices and Rehearsals. 10th Oct 2014.

10th Oct 2014. Our first trial session for the business game.
I explained the concept to the wider organising team.
Seeking their support and cooperation.
I offered motivation and support to all team members.
We started to set-up the business game environment.
The game is ingenious because it is low-cost and high impact.
Office tables and chairs are used to set-up “stations”
The stations represent the steps in the optimised sourcing process
The tables are labelled
and manned by the actual real life process owner
23rd Oct 2014. The project manager organised a review of the business game.
And started taking a strong lead.
26th Nov 2014. After the organisation of Process Masters I,
The project manager called for another rehearsal
to further fine-tune the game
ahead of Process Masters II.
More people joined the organising team
Team members started taking more responsibilities.
They were passionate.
And displayed ownership.
Head of sourcing department decided to get involved too.
He offered leadership visibility by coming to the rehearsals.
The project manager was highly motivated.
Team members were feeling more positive
There was a new sense of pride in the project
Cross-functional collaboration was easier because there was a clear common goal.
The project team organised a trial game
With volunteer teams from business
To further enhance the business game’s learning potential.

Open day planning

Open day concept was integrated into the overall plan
Roles and responsibilities became clearer
A launch timeline was prepared
A budget was proposed
Program for open day was finalised
Green and yellow cards were designed and produced
A team “passport” was designed and produced to get chops to move to the next stations during the game
In addition, a quiz was also integrated into the evaluation step at the end of the game the gauge the learning outcomes of the business game

Game Manual for Organisers. 24th Oct 2014.

Game Manual for Players. 24th Oct 2014.

Process Masters I – 27th Oct 2014

Process Masters I – 27th Oct 2014
Opening cermony
Speech by MC
Speech by project manager
Speech by program manager
Department heads
Audience
Speech by Board Member
I gave an overview about the business game
VIPs blowing trumpets start the game
Start table
“Cheques” for payment process
Team being given their case study and briefed
Getting stamps of approval before they can move to the next station/step of the sourcing process
Understanding the sourcing process better by playing
Waiting area for those who are delayed in the sourcing process
Teams competing with each other and racing against the clock
Green cards symbolised completed process improvements
Yellow cards symbolised ongoing process improvements
Lunch time
End table where the teams can successfully obtain their “goods”
Head of sourcing department giving out additional “obstacles” for some teams during the game
Slight humour
Last stop for teams: evaluation room
And also drop some written feedback onto a wall
Where they had a fill up a short guided questionnaire
Al the teams have gone through the End station
Break time
Teams’ competition timings
Prize presentation ceremony
Speech by project manager
Speech by Board Member
Third prize given away by finance department head
Second prize given away by sourcing department head
Champion prize given away by Board Member
Group photo with the prize winners