order 16608 wk 1 apply process improvement flowchart

OPS/574 v1
Process Improvement Flowchart
As-Is Process Flow Chart Evaluation
Select a process from an organization you work for or are familiar with. You will use this process in your
Week 2 & Week 4 Signature Assignments as well.
Create a flowchart of the as-is process using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Vizio, or Excel.
Evaluate the efficacy of your process using process improvement techniques.
Walmart has been incorporating technological advancement in its business operations
and is currently opting to extend to selling the e-commerce technology to small retailers in the
industry (Clementz, 2020). The clients order items online and expect timely delivery according
to the process update sent to the customers. Nonetheless, the flowchart depicts certain
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Process Improvement Flowchart
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weaknesses, such as the process requiring more time, which increases the delivery schedule of
products. Also, the process has redundant tasks within the warehousing, sorting, product
packaging, and order submission for shipment, which consumes more than 50% of the
processing time. Thus, Walmart’s automation of warehouse management systems and smart
technology applications will significantly reduce the sorting and order processing time to one
day.
Process Improvement Flow Chart
Determine how the process can be improved based on the results of your evaluation.
Define metrics and measure the current process.
This process can be enhanced through automation. The main metrics that would be used
encompasses od the time taken in processing the order of the clients from the first phase to the
shipment of the products to clients. This metric would offer significant details regarding the
effectiveness of the intervention. Further, the assessment indicates the overall process from
receiving the orders to shipment takes a lot of time, which is attributed to the complexity of the
warehousing, order sorting, and forwarding the products to the shipping sector for delivery.
Use process improvement techniques to improve the process. Create a flow chart of the improved
process using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Vizio, or Excel. Use your professional judgment to ascertain
how the future process will perform according to your metrics.
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Summary
Write a 525-word executive summary that includes the following:
• A brief description of the process based on the flowchart of processes current state
• The results of your process evaluation and how the weak points can be strengthened. Include a
description of the process improvement technique(s) used.
• A brief description of process improvements based on the process of the future state
• How you anticipate the future process will perform based on metrics used to evaluate process
current state
• A description of your process improvement project to achieve the process future state
The project depicts the case that Walmart is opting to implement with the application
of an e-commerce web platform that enables the clients to order and pay for the products.
Also, the platform allows the company to create the ideal framework for promptly responding
to the clients, mainly focusing on enhancing their relationships via enhanced order processing
and fast delivery of products. Nevertheless, the main issue of the process is that it increases the
delay in the order processing. Walmart has established that the total delivery time from order
placement to shipment is prolonged because of the complexities linked to the underlying
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warehousing, forwarding, and packaging operations (Banker, 2021). Further, the process
shows that the warehousing and order processing activities are assigned to different sectors,
increasing the time required to deliver the products to the clients. Additionally, the as-is
process indicates that manual labor is required in the initial physically checking and
confirming the orders within the warehouse, processing, matching the products to the client’s
preferences, and packaging them awaiting shipment. The whole process requires at least three
days, which increases the overall delivery time. Hence, the company has reported decreased
client share since its competitor, Amazon, delivers products within a day or two of the client’s
order. Thus, there is a necessity to create a reliable strategy for enhancing the product delivery
time to clients while improving sustainability, which can be attained by redefining the
operations conducted at this phase, primarily focusing on automation and time management.
The core weakness associated with the as-is process is attributed to its lack of time
management. The procedures are manual in almost all areas, making it extremely challenging
to reduce the time required to process client orders. This challenge has impacted Walmart’s
reputation in the markets, undermining its capability to achieve the preset goals and objectives.
However, the automation of certain vital operations can resolve the company’s issue (Boysen,
De Koster & Weidinger, 2019). The automation will reduce the time required in the
warehousing processes and forward the orders. However, this resolution is based on the lean
manufacturing strategy, emphasizing reducing production waste and time. Hence, Walmart
would reduce the unnecessary procedures followed to attain the anticipated goals and optimize
its operations.
The transformations implemented in the process would be prolonged since the
company would progressively adopt automated solutions in its operations. Automation offers
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the optimal framework for the enhancement of overall operations conducted within the
warehousing department. On the other hand, the promotion of sustainability is essential for
Walmart because it will establish a reliable framework for competition in the industry.
Moreover, the progressive enhancement would enable the organization to focus on the clients’
affairs and alignment, facilitating operational efficacy (Oliveira, Sá & Fernandes, 2017).
Besides, the procedure will be enhanced by automating the warehousing and clearing
activities. These operations are currently completed manually, which increases the probability
of errors and processing time. Also, the company has limited strategies and insight on the ideal
approaches of reducing the time to process client orders. Increasing the rate of employees
would be costly in the long term; thus, the adaptation of smart robots and warehousing
management system technologies would create a reliable architecture for the automation of
order processing and forwarding (Amiruddin & Romdhony, 2020). Overall, the project is
primarily based on time management, waste elimination, and promoting efficacy in the
warehousing operations. Walmart would achieve this objective through automation, in which
it would apply the use of smart architecture.
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References
Amiruddin, B. P., & Romdhony, D. R. (2020). A Study on Application of Automation
Technology in Logistics and Its Effect on E-Commerce.
https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:HRZOUi9fu0IJ:scholar.google.c
om/+A+Study+on+Application+of+Automation+Technology+in+Logistics+and+Its+Eff
ect+on+E-Commerce&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&as_ylo=2016
Banker, S. (2021). Walmart’s Massive Investment In A Supply Chain Transformation. Forbes.
Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebanker/2021/04/23/walmartsmassive-investment-in-a-supply-chain-transformation/?sh=84d10c0340ed
Boysen, N., De Koster, R., & Weidinger, F. (2019). Warehousing in the e-commerce era: A
survey. European Journal of Operational Research, 277(2), 396-411.
Clementz, J. (2020). Walmart Expands Its eCommerce Marketplace to More Small Businesses.
Walmart. Retrieved from: https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/06/15/walmartexpands-its-ecommerce-marketplace-to-more-small-businesses
Oliveira, J., Sá, J. C., & Fernandes, A. (2017). Continuous improvement through” Lean Tools”:
An application in a mechanical company. Procedia Manufacturing, 13, 1082-1089.
Cite references to support your assignment.
Format your citations according to APA guidelines.
Submit your assignment.
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