Adapting Processes for Sustained Excellence in Engineering and Beyond

Are you the type of person who owns whatever you do?

Are you someone who develops something but overlooks the quality aspect?

Are you the kind of person who relies on others to ensure the quality of your work?

Regardless of the context or type of activity, whether in the IT world or elsewhere, it is essential for one to ensure that everything they do is clean and correct in all aspects. This commitment to quality and integrity applies to every task and responsibility one undertakes. By consistently upholding these principles, one can ensure that their contributions are reliable, efficient, and valuable in any setting.

Now, focusing specifically on process adherence, it is evident that well-defined processes not only contribute to creating better products but also ensure the continuous improvement of the organization.

The idea is that the processes should be so well-integrated into the engineers' daily routines that following them becomes automatic. It underscores the importance of personal accountability in maintaining the integrity of the work process. This adherence should become second nature to the engineers, negating the need for repeated monitoring or external enforcement.

The role of a process consultant

The role of a process consultant or a process engineer (well, if you don't know who is a process engineer, please check here) is crucial during the initial phase of something, where they define the processes and ensure their integrity. Their job involves creating clear, robust processes that can be followed without the need for constant supervision (But, continuous monitoring by a process consultant is practically happening due to frequent compromises on quality aspects by the development team.) Once these processes are in place, it is the responsibility of the engineers to adhere to them diligently.

However, situations may arise where significant changes are necessary, such as when the entire process definition needs to be revised or some new improvement initiatives need to be tried out. In such cases, the process consultant must take the lead role again. They are responsible for reassessing the current processes, identifying areas that need improvement or adaptation, and implementing the necessary changes. This ensures that the processes remain relevant and effective in the face of new challenges or evolving project requirements.

In summary, while the process consultant's primary role is at the beginning, their expertise is also crucial whenever major changes to the process are needed. They guide the development and evolution of processes, ensuring that the engineers can consistently produce high-quality work without constant external oversight.