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Starting early 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
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Their common aim invariably has been the same viz:
‘Either to increase outputs and outcomes or reduce inputs and costs’
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A spectrum of tools has emerged over the following decades – 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’ – Time study, Method study
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1960s:
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Corporate planning – Strategy formulation
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Mainframe/ Mini 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
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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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BS 5750 (UK) – ISO 9000 (RoW) – Baldridge Award (USA)
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Downsizing – LIFO
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Expert Systems – Planned Maintenance
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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, Harvard
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7 S’s – Success factors – Parker, McKinsey’s
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8 A’s – Attributes of successful companies – Peters & Waterman, McKinsey’s
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1990s:
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BSC – Balanced Score Cards – 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 – Offshoring
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6 σ – Six Sigma
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2000 onwards:
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AGILE
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Apps – Software application algorithms
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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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