Process SHAPERS

Creating brand-new and novel industrial processes requires thinking and acting differently. It is a difficult “high wire act” to pull off.

Some aspects of this thinking and acting are described in the APEX (Applied Process Engineering eXcellence) framework, which has 4 pillars:

• Technical Foundation

• Generation of Actionable Data

• Systematic Problem-Solving Methodologies

• Project Management

However the APEX framework does not help with the characteristics of who can successfully pull off this kind of effort. What kind of person can do this kind of “full spectrum” (from research to commercialization) process engineering?

The best characterization for the right kind of person to lead this kind of project is a Process Shaper. This term was coined by Ray Dalio, a legendary investor and very smart thinker. Dalio defines a Shaper as follows:

Shaper =

Visionary + Practical Thinker + Determined

Shapers are “people who come up with unique and valuable visions and build them out beautifully, typically over the doubts of others” (per Dalio in his book Principles).

Process Shapers are the kind of people who have the vision and courage to imagine a new and significantly better process, are practical in moving systematically from research to commercialization, and determined to complete the effort to maximize their financial impact and learning for future projects. Many of my best projects have happened when I have been behaving as a Process Shaper.

This concept of Shapers can be applied to innovation in just about any field. In my discussion today, I have confined it to process innovation, but it could just as easily be applied to many other innovation efforts.

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My main learning from this line of thinking is that a specific set of tendencies and interests combine to create someone who is a Process Shaper. These people tend to be curious, persistent, and willing to do “whatever it takes” to move processes along the exciting passage from a compelling vision to a profitable and robust reality.

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YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK

Please think about (by name and title) people in your organization who have demonstrated that they are Process Shapers…

• Have their successful projects been used to generate Best Practices for future projects?

• Are these Process Shapers working to mentor and influence new talent to generate future bench strength for the organization?

I’d enjoy hearing your comments about the role of Process Shapers in your organization. Please send your thoughts to me at marty@martyschad.com, or call me at 508-410-8081.

All the Best,

Marty

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