Critical Elements

摘要

In the preceding series of departments, we focused on processes. Specifically, we looked at what made for a capable process. We noted that processes are vital to a company's success, since they define exactly what that business can and cannot do. A firm's outputs also are important, because they determine the types of products delivered. In this view, outputs are a residual of the processes. Consequently, we decided if you do not like the outputs, then you must focus on and change the appropriate processes. And remember: We are looking at the output in the broadest sense—as not only the physical trait, but also the other characteristics associated with a product, such as speed, quality, reliability, cost, and flexibility.