Original Date: 05/08/1995
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA)-St. Louis’ Human Resources (HR) department developed a quick and manageable methodology to review and monitor process improvements within the HR organization. This methodology was required by management to monitor process improvement efforts where processes and their ownership were not defined and information was needed to assist in the decision-making process at the executive level.

The HR and Services Organization General Services Process Summary Form is a one-page form used for all documented processes within the General Services organization. Senior management and process owners use the form to monitor documented processes, establish metrics, and develop process improvement plans with specific action items. The HR Services Process and Summary Form has been used throughout Level 1 (executive level) and Level 2 (mid-management) processes. Level 3 operational processes are currently being documented and process forms implemented.

The key to using the forms is first to establish process documentation requirements. Training is a critical factor in this process documentation effort, and each process owner receives eight hours of training before documenting individual processes. Process owners must quantify the elements that comprise their processes and identify/implement significant metrics.

One benefit MDA has realized by applying this methodology is the realization that “What you measure, you pay attention to and what you pay attention to, you improve.” Process owners are improving processes; there is an increased awareness and visibility of HR processes and improvements; and management has more accurate data on which to base its decisions.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.