AAOM Handbook

MP.03 Define the Theory of the process Context

The successful delivery of the Purpose of a process requires that we understand and apply a valid Theory to the operation of the process. The definition of a Theory is that it makes reliable predictions about the results that will be produced from a set of actions or conditions. Therefore the theory measures are leading indicators of process performance. Hence, if the underlying theory of a process is not being delivered an intervention in the process is required. Purpose To list the process elements that allow reliable predictions to be made about the results to be produced. Quantity One statement that defines the theory of the process Quality The Theory applied to the operation of a process is defined by the;  'technical' design of the process, and  Production and Service Strategies applied to the process. The technical theory of a process is specific to its design, and is typically related to the physics, chemistry and/or hardware applied to the transformation, transfer or storage activities involved in the process The Production and Service Strategies relate to choices around the approach to operating and servicing (managing potential threats to the process or posed by the process) a designed process. One area of strategy choice relates to the incremental adjustment of the 'technical' parameters inherent in the process design, e.g. powder factor, solution pH or concentration etc. Another set of strategy choices relate to, or affect, the operating approach applied to the process. These include:  use of time (availability/utilisation),  rate of operation (throughput),  quality (input and/or output specification), and  service strategy. The combination of the above strategy choices will determine the process:  reliability (frequency of disruption to the process),  process efficiency (recovery),  fixed costs, and  variable costs, which will in turn determine the process Effectiveness, Sustainability and Efficiency.