Operational Process Reengineering Flashcards
7 cards from real CPM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Operational Process Reengineering flashcards as text
Which of the following scenarios best justifies launching a BPR initiative rather than incremental improvement?
Answer: A process is fundamentally broken, causing major customer losses and competitive disadvantage
BPR is warranted when a process is so broken that incremental fixes cannot restore competitive performance—radical redesign is needed.
What does 'process compression' mean in BPR?
Answer: Combining sequential process steps to be performed simultaneously or eliminated
Process compression involves parallelizing or eliminating steps so the overall process takes less time, reducing cycle time significantly.
How does reengineering typically affect organizational structure?
Answer: It tends to flatten the hierarchy by empowering teams and eliminating unnecessary management layers
BPR commonly results in flatter structures because empowered cross-functional teams reduce the need for multiple management layers.
A reengineering team is using an 'as-is' process map. What is the primary purpose of this document?
Answer: To baseline current performance and identify inefficiencies before redesign
The 'as-is' map captures how the process currently works so the team can identify waste, bottlenecks, and redesign opportunities.
Which of the following is an example of using IT as an enabler during BPR?
Answer: Using a shared database to allow multiple departments to access real-time customer data simultaneously
Enabling real-time shared data access removes handoffs and information delays—an example of IT enabling a fundamentally new way of working.
What is the key difference between 'process improvement' and 'process reengineering'?
Answer: Process reengineering involves fundamental rethinking and radical redesign; improvement makes incremental changes
Reengineering questions the fundamental assumptions of a process and redesigns it from scratch, whereas improvement works within the existing process framework.
Which factor most often causes BPR projects to fail after initial success?
Answer: Failure to institutionalize the new process through training, systems, and culture change
Without embedding the new process into training programs, IT systems, and cultural norms, organizations tend to revert to old habits.