Routledge Lean and Digitize: An Integrated Approach to Process Improvement

Lean and Six Sigma initiatives are designed to enable sustained improvements in your company or organization's efficiency and competitiveness. As with other improvement strategies they are dependent on two things, effective management and your ability to automate or digitize elements of your business process. Lean and Digitize provides you with a convincing picture of each of these elements (process improvement, digitization and the management of both) to help you eliminate waste, improve process and service, and better align your information and communications technology with your strategic objectives. Bernardo Nicoletti analyses and reviews the development of automation and telecommunications systems in the context of quality management and process improvement. He uses case examples to illustrate organizational and management approaches to implementation. These, along with his practical guidance, will help you make sense of the complexity, benefits and interrelations between these different elements. The text shows you on the one hand, how to integrate information and communication systems into your process improvement projects and, on the other, how to align information and communication projects with your quality strategy. Without a holistic approach to technology and quality improvement, your initiatives run the risk of being misdirected or simply running out of steam. Changes of this kind will never be easy but at least if you follow the advice in Lean and Digitize you will significantly increase your chances of success. Review 'At last a book that correctly positions technology not as an end but as a means to achieve business benefits.' Enrico Camerinelli, Senior Industry Analyst 'Lean and Digitize is a clear and effective account of how information technologies and lean approaches can support each other in radically transforming an organization. The method presented is strengthened by references to lived experiences - from large as well as small companies - and will help the readers in implementing it in their own organization.' Corrado Cerruti, Professor, University of Rome 'This book clearly explains the principles of Lean Six Sigma and blends them with Information & Communication Technology, which is a ubiquitous enabler that plays a critical role in process innovation. The unification of Lean Six Sigma and ICT, with practical examples and case studies, is a great resource for those who wish to adopt the best of these domains.' Kiran Garimella, Senior Principal Consultant, Software AG About the Author Bernardo graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. He worked for GE Capital, as Group CTO, GE Oil & Gas, as CIO, and AIG, with assignments in Italy, UK, USA and Latin America. Currently he is Professor of IT Procurement at the Master in Procurement of the University of TorVergata, Rome, Italy and provides consultancy in Europe and Asia on IT Strategy, Organization and Procurement. Bernardo has been particularly active in the application of Lean Six Sigma to Financial Institutions. He calls his approach 'Lean & Digitize' and over time has developed a specific methodology as a way to reduce costs and improve quality, bringing value to the Business. He is the author of 20 books on Management, published in Italy. He has been a frequent speaker in International Conferences and published 200 articles. www.bernardonicoletti.com.