Discussion topic:
One of the lecture topics this week is abstraction and "black box" processes. The idea is that a work process can usually be broken up into multiple subprocesses, and each subprocess can probably also be broken up into subprocesses. Responsibility for the completion of a task within a subprocess can be delegated without needing to know the details of how it will be completed.
These ideas can sometimes be better understood by drawing a comparison to a human process. Can you think of an example of a simple-seeming request that requires delegation of responsibility at many levels to get it done? Examples to inspire your choice could include "get this package to Bob in Denver", "build me a house", or "I want the fish entree".
What are some of the steps in the process you have selected? How many people are involved? What do they do? Can some of those steps be swapped out for an equivalent option without affecting the final result? What decisions need to be made at each level and what decisions can be delegated to someone at the next level down in granularity? How is the work split up?
Discussion post:
One example of an abstract “black box” process could be something as mundane as ordering a pizza online from a local franchise to be delivered to your house. This is an example of a black box process because I do not need to delegate much other than the desired type of pizza. All the process and subprocess that go into bringing me my pizza are unknown to me and generally I don’t care or need to know about them as long as I receive the desired product. Some of the steps I assume are involved in this black box process are transfer of the order to a cook or whoever will make the pizza. Food items must be prepared to assemble the pizza by a prep cook or perhaps ingredients are prefabricated off site. The pizza must be delivered by a driver to my house. Each of these process require their own subprocesses to be completed. For example, a computer infrastructure must exist and software is needed to make the order accessible to a cook. Ingredients must be selected by franchise owners. Questions like, “what kind pepperoni, olives, and mushrooms?” must be answered. Some of these steps can be substituted with little noticeable effect on the final product. The delivery driver can use a car, bike, or motor scooter to deliver the pizza and it wouldn’t matter or be noticeable. Many of the decisions in this process are most likely automated or established by a franchise owner. Price, portion sizes, preparation method are all subprocesses built into this black box system at the highest management level. Other decisions like delivery method can be made at the lower level. Each job is delegated and compartmentalized relative to the person completing the task. The person taking and preparing the order doesn’t likely know or care how the software is able to show it him or her. The driver doesn’t know how the order was made or what temperature it was cooked at. Lastly, I don’t know exactly what was done between the time I place my order and receive it at my front door. These are all black box processes and subprocess that come together many times a day to produce the same predictable result for numerous customers.
One of the lecture topics this week is abstraction and "black box" processes. The idea is that a work process can usually be broken up into multiple subprocesses, and each subprocess can probably also be broken up into subprocesses. Responsibility for the completion of a task within a subprocess can be delegated without needing to know the details of how it will be completed.
These ideas can sometimes be better understood by drawing a comparison to a human process. Can you think of an example of a simple-seeming request that requires delegation of responsibility at many levels to get it done? Examples to inspire your choice could include "get this package to Bob in Denver", "build me a house", or "I want the fish entree".
What are some of the steps in the process you have selected? How many people are involved? What do they do? Can some of those steps be swapped out for an equivalent option without affecting the final result? What decisions need to be made at each level and what decisions can be delegated to someone at the next level down in granularity? How is the work split up?
Discussion post:
One example of an abstract “black box” process could be something as mundane as ordering a pizza online from a local franchise to be delivered to your house. This is an example of a black box process because I do not need to delegate much other than the desired type of pizza. All the process and subprocess that go into bringing me my pizza are unknown to me and generally I don’t care or need to know about them as long as I receive the desired product. Some of the steps I assume are involved in this black box process are transfer of the order to a cook or whoever will make the pizza. Food items must be prepared to assemble the pizza by a prep cook or perhaps ingredients are prefabricated off site. The pizza must be delivered by a driver to my house. Each of these process require their own subprocesses to be completed. For example, a computer infrastructure must exist and software is needed to make the order accessible to a cook. Ingredients must be selected by franchise owners. Questions like, “what kind pepperoni, olives, and mushrooms?” must be answered. Some of these steps can be substituted with little noticeable effect on the final product. The delivery driver can use a car, bike, or motor scooter to deliver the pizza and it wouldn’t matter or be noticeable. Many of the decisions in this process are most likely automated or established by a franchise owner. Price, portion sizes, preparation method are all subprocesses built into this black box system at the highest management level. Other decisions like delivery method can be made at the lower level. Each job is delegated and compartmentalized relative to the person completing the task. The person taking and preparing the order doesn’t likely know or care how the software is able to show it him or her. The driver doesn’t know how the order was made or what temperature it was cooked at. Lastly, I don’t know exactly what was done between the time I place my order and receive it at my front door. These are all black box processes and subprocess that come together many times a day to produce the same predictable result for numerous customers.