Taking a Holistic Perspective on Technical Communication and Lean
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present best practices and areas of improvement in Technical Communication (TC) analyzed with Lean values as a base. The purpose is also to analyze the results from a holistic perspective using the Synergy-4 model, a multi-perspective approach which considers four different spheres of an organization at a time in order to discover synergies. Methodology/Approach: To fulfill the purpose, 15 interviews in four different companies were conducted. These were then analyzed and the results were categorized into a number of predefined Lean areas. The results from the Lean values were then further analyzed with the Synergy-4 model as a base. Findings: Taking a Lean perspective could enhance the status of TC with regard to finding ways to incorporate the customer’s voice more clearly when it comes to strengthening the role of TC. The result from the analyses indicates that Lean and Synergy-4 can enrich each other.
References
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Seddon, J., 2005. Freedom from command & control: Rethinking management for Lean service. New York: Productivity Press.
Selfe, R.J. and Selfe, C.L, 2013. What are the Boundaries, Artifacts, and Identities of Technical Communication? In J. Johnson-Eilola, J., S.A. Selber, eds. 2013. Solving problems in technical communication. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press
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Öberg, L.-M., 2009. Krav och kvalitetskrav inom teknisk information med fokus på offentlig upphandling. [online] Available at: www.miun.se/ticprojektet.
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Bank, B., Löfstedt, U. and Nyström, C.A., 2013. Projekt TIC II Kompetensförsörjning för lärande organisationer med fokus på TI. Mittuniversitetet, Institutionen för informationsteknologi och medier. [online] Available at: www.miun.se/ticprojektet [Accessed 2015.08.20].
Borglund, E, Slumpi, T. P. and Öberg. L-M., 2010. Applying Synergy-4 in Informatics Research – Some Reflections. In V. Asproth, ed. (2011) Challenges for the future in an ICT context. Mid Sweden University, pp- 151-165.
Bäckström, I., Ingelsson, P., Löfstedt, U., Mårtensson, A. and Öberg, L-M., 2014. Kvalitetsarbete inom teknikinformation – Goda exempel och utvecklingsbehov. Rapport Mittuniversitetet, Projekt Kundanpassad teknikinformation – KATI.
Bicheno, J. and Holweg, M., 2009. The Lean toolbox: The essential guide to Lean transformation. Buckingham: PICSIE Books.
Emiliani, B., 2010. Moving forward faster: the mental evolution from fake Lean to REAL Lean. Wethersfield, Conn.: The Center for Lean Business Management, LLC
Emiliani, M. L., 1998. Lean behaviors. Management Decision, 36(9), pp.615-631.
Eriksson, M. and Öberg, L-M., 2013. Configuration Management i teknikinformationens tjänst – en antologi. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet.
Hart-Davidson W., 2013. What are the Work Patterns of Technical Communication? In J. Johnson-Eilola, J., S.A. Selber, eds. 2013. Solving problems in technical communication. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Holmberg, S. C., 2001. Taking Synthegrity-4 from Assumption Mode to Reflection Mode. System Research and Behavioral Science, 18, pp.127-135.
Johnson-Eilola, J. and Selber, S.A, 2013. Solving problems in technical communication. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Liker, J. K., 2004. The Toyota Way: 14 management principles from the world's greatest manufacturer. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Modig, N. and Åhlström, P., 2012. This is Lean: Resolving the efficiency paradox. Stockholm: Rheologica publishing Bulls Graphics AB.
Nyström, A.C, Asproth, V., 2013. Virtual Teams – Support for Technical Communication? Journal of organizational transformation and social change, 10(1), pp.64-80.
Petersen, K. and Wohlin, C., 2011. Measuring the flow in Lean software development. Software – Practice and Experience, 41(9), pp.975-996.
Rother, M. and Shook, J., 2004. Lära sig se. Att kartlägga och förbättra värdeflöden för att skapa mervärde och eliminera slöseri. Stockholm: Edita Norstedts Tryckeri
Schein, E. H., 2006. Organizational culture and leadership. (3. ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Seddon, J., 2005. Freedom from command & control: Rethinking management for Lean service. New York: Productivity Press.
Selfe, R.J. and Selfe, C.L, 2013. What are the Boundaries, Artifacts, and Identities of Technical Communication? In J. Johnson-Eilola, J., S.A. Selber, eds. 2013. Solving problems in technical communication. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press
Womack, J. P. and Jones, D. T., 2003. Lean thinking: banish waste and create wealth in your corporation. London: Free Press Business.
Öberg, L.-M., 2009. Krav och kvalitetskrav inom teknisk information med fokus på offentlig upphandling. [online] Available at: www.miun.se/ticprojektet.
Öberg, L.-M., 2011. Krav och kvalitetskrav inom teknisk information -från användar- och beställarperspektiv. [online] Available at: www.miun.se/ticprojektet [Accessed 2015.08.20].
Authors
Ingelsson, P., Löfstedt, U., Bäckström, I., & Öberg, L.-M. (2015). Taking a Holistic Perspective on Technical Communication and Lean. Quality Innovation Prosperity, 19(2), 103–122. https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v19i2.608
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