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Starting in the 20th century there has been a continuous evolution of tools for management and their advisers to address different parts of the overall productivity ratio
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Some proved more effective than others – some are now included in or rely on others – but their common aim invariably has been the same viz:
‘Either to increase outputs and outcomes or reduce inputs and costs’
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The spectrum of tools available emerged over the following decades – along with inevitable acronyms:
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1930s:
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O&M – Organisation and Methods
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WS – Work Study – aka ‘Scientific Management’
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1960s:
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Corporate planning – Strategy formulation
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Mainframe computers – e.g. IBM 1401, IBM 360
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MBO – Management By Objectives
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OR – Operations Research – Linear programming, Regression analysis, Simulation
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SA – Systems Analysis, Method Study
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SWOT analyses – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
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1970s:
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Boston Grid – ‘Growth Share’ matrix
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PIMS study – ‘Profit Impact of Marketing Strategies’ study
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SPC – Statistical Process Control
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VA – Value Analysis
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1980s:
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BS5750 (UK) – ISO 9000 (RoW) – Baldridge Award (USA)
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Downsizing – LIFO
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Expert Systems – Maintenance support
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MBWA – Management By Walking About
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Micro computers – Word, Visicalc software
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PPF – Putting People First – Culture change programmes
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TQM – Total Quality Management
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5 Competitive forces – Porter
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7 S’s – Success factors – McKinsey’s
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8 A’s – Attributes of successful companies – Peters & Waterman
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1990s:
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BSC – Balanced ScoreCards – Kaplan & Norton
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BEM – Business Excellence Model
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BPR – Business Process Re-Engineering – Davenport & Hammer
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WWW – World Wide Web – Internet – Berners-Lee
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LEAN
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Outsourcing
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6 σ – Six Sigma
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2000 and on:
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AGILE
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Apps – Applications
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AI – Artificial Intelligence
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KM – Knowledge Management
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Onshoring
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Social Media – iPhones, Androids
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