Process Improvement Management

Recommended Prerequisites

Applied Statistics, Quality Systems Engineering.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodology is based on a combination of conventional classes where themes are introduced and motivated, with supporting slides, videos and simulations (first phase), lectures by professionals (second phase) and industrial visits (third phase). During this process, students consolidate their knowledge with group projects, and industrial visit reports.

Learning Outcomes

The contents of most courses taught in the Integrated Master program intended provide students with knowledge about the scientific fundamentals of Chem. Engng., equipment design, and how to operate such equipment and facilities in optimal conditions. Little reference is made to business process improvement or effective procedures for diagnosing and eliminating process problems. However, process improvement and “troubleshooting” are two major activities of a future Chemical Engineer operating in an industrial setting, which furthermore have a very significant impact on the organization, including the safety of people, the organization economic and financial results and the environmental impact of its activities. This course aims to provide future engineers with systematic methodologies and tools that help them in these important activities as well as to provide them with opportunities to contact with professionals and to visit industrial units where these activities are implemented.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Module 1. Managing Improvement

Approaches to process improvement. Management of human resources and their involvement in the activity of process improving. Team dynamics. Evaluation and monitoring of the strategic activities of the company: the Balanced Scorecard. Definition of critical aspects for the organization and business performance indicators. Strategic selection of improvement projects. Stakeholder analysis and assessment. Process improvement initiatives: Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints (TOC).

 

Module 2. Managing Diagnosis Activities and Troubleshooting

Methods for detecting and diagnosing problems in processes. The importance of information selection and their appropriate visualization. Systematic methods for the diagnosis of equipment problems.

 

Module 3. Lectures by professionals and company visits

Practical implementation of systems improvement and “troubleshooting”. The profile of a successful engineer. Risk management in companies.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 40.0%
Project: 60.0%

Bibliography

Kaplan,R.S., Norton, D.P., The Balanced Scorecard, Harvard Business School Press, Boston (MA) (1996).

Pizdek, T., The Six Sigma Handbook, Segunda Edição, McGraw-Hill (2003).

Isermann, R., Fault-Diagnosis Systems, Springer, 2006

(Further specific bibliograpgy on Business Process Improvement will be recommended in the classroom)