Typically, traditional management in the private sector (at least up until the eighties) measured productivity in terms of output divided by inputs.  International pressures, from Japan in particular, forced the US to look at productivity in a different way by adding quality to the formula.  Now, the private sector looks at productivity in terms of outputs X quality divided by inputs to come up with indexes from which to mark improvements in work processes and from which to benchmark across different organizations.

Our trick in government is to figure out how we can begin measuring our own performance and making continuous improvements in our processes to increase productivity using some form of the O X Q / I Formula.  It should be as easy as 123 or ABC and we will see this in this class.

We watched the Film "If Japan Can Why Can't We".  Nucor Steel was one of the companies featured in this film and they have many lessons for us with regard to managing and the issue of productivity.  I'm sure you heard MONEY - INCENTIVES - ETC. ---- you know, the Herzberg Dissatisfier stuff.  But I submit to you that there is more to the picture than just money.  Its a philosophical choice and in class we will talk about some of the other things about Iverson's formula that relate to the models we posted on the wall.

I think we are beginning to see how all these things we've been talking about in levels I, II, and III fit together and build upon one another.  In talking about system problems we were able to discuss how important it is to be connected with the mission.  Growing Wine was an example of this connection.

Next up is communication and its impact on climate.  We will also discuss quality and where an audit should be as opposed to where it is typically put.  We will look at the Sterling Challenge as an example of auditing for excellence.
 
 

We worked through the Sterling Challenge and found that there were things that managers could do to support an organization's journey through continuous improvement. Below is a link to the sterling home page:

http://www.floridasterling.com/
 
 
 
 

We did an activity in which we got a chance to talk about communication and this is what the class wants us to know about it:
 

Please submit your CPM outside requirement work on "work process improvement" to the Davis Award
Panel.  You can find a nomination form on the web page: http://www.floridataxwatch.org/

Don't Forget to visit the CPM Web Page for our schedule:  http://www.fsu.edu/~cpm/
Visit Sterling's web page to see how other organizations improve: http://www.floridasterling.com/

If you need any help or suggestions on completing the outside requirements for the CSM then please send me an E-mail.  Remember, you need to be finished with all the outside requirements around the end of March 2001 so that you can graduate in May of 2001 at the  annual CPM Graduation in Tallahassee Fl. At the University Center. You can make this target date.  If you think you will have a problem meeting this date, call or e-mail me and I will get you on the right track to meet it.