Bringing Operational Excellence into Software Development Organisations

Operational Excellence is an organisation’s ability to execute its management’s strategies and visions while continuously responding to external threats and internal integration challenges.

Subscribe
Filling the gap in online content

Community interest in novel, scientific approaches to Software Development is rising!

Content on SoftwareDominos has attracted visitors worldwide, confirming the need to fill the gap in online content on software development, design, architecture, Agile, DevOps and many other areas of managing and delivering quality software.

382K

All-time views

14K

Monthly views

200+

Referring sites

134

Subscribers

3

Years old

What to Expect?

“Curiosity is antifragile, like an addiction, and is magnified by attempts to satisfy it.”

— Nassim N. Taleb

Our primary content covers software development, business management, and whatever other topics software engineers need to succeed. Occasionally, we supplement the primary content with ideas on mathematics, science, engineering, and book recommendations.

Our content is ad-free. If you found our articles valuable to your journey, consider subscribing to our newsletter.

Subscribe

Three patterns you can identify in our content

  • Method of First Principles: A tradition of going to the sources
  • Theory-Informed Practice: Practical guidelines reinforced by scientific theory
  • Skin in the Game: A blend of personal experience and industry best practices

Method of First Principles

In times of doubt, falling back on first principles is the wisest course of action. Two reasons urge us to dig out the origins of a complex topic in software development: 

  • First, we can better assimilate its concepts by familiarising ourselves with its history and the context in which it arose.
  • Second, even the most original, paradigm-shifting ideas (like Agile) tend to be washed down beyond recognition by incorrect or stringent application, commodification, and excessive ritualisation.

Skin in the Game

Most articles discuss topics the author is intimately familiar with or had the chance to observe in real-world scenarios. Two reasons impose this constraint.

  • First, our opinions and beliefs are invariably shaped by our experiences and are never the products of pure intellectual reasoning. Therefore, it is futile to deny their impact on our ideas.
  • Second, I believe original content based on field experience stamps writings with authenticity and credibility and is essential to building trust with readers.
  • Exceptions exist but are rare and include fascinating and insightful issues like quantum computing and mega-projects that like-minded readers will enjoy.

Theory-Informed Practice

Theory without field expertise rarely stands outside academia. On the other hand, practice without theory is no more than hunches and intuition, whose effectiveness will drastically decline as soon as the context changes.

  • A sound theory provides context-aware frameworks, tools, and practices rather than universal but ineffective solutions.
  • Expertise acts as a filter, separating the practical from the impractical, testing what is desirable but not practical and vice versa.
Software engineering beyond coding

Four ingredients for a successful career in software

Successful engineers will find programming, collaborating in a delivery team, technical proficiency outside of coding (applied mathematics, science, engineering), and acquiring knowledge through reading to be essential to their career development.

Business Management Made Easy

A significant portion of Software Dominos’ articles focuses on business and management theory.

As Wallace B. Donham, the founder of the Harvard Business Review, once said, business without a solid theoretical foundation is “unsystematic, haphazard, and for many men a pathetic gamble”.

Our content explores various aspects of organizational theory, culture, transformation, performance, and leadership. We draw insights from philosophy, anthropology, and complexity science to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to business and management.

Our goal is to equip our readers with the knowledge and understanding necessary to navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape.

Read More

Operational Excellence in Software Development

Software Design, Development, and Delivery

Processes, Productivity and Success

Researching Operational Excellence in Software Development was a challenging but fruitful endeavour, it aims to provide developers with a complete framework that allows them to refine their deliveries and enhance their value proposition.

Read More

If we had to summarize the software development practice crudely, we could sum up all activities as either design, development, or delivery. These three areas form the epicentre of all intellectual activities in our content.

Read More

By adopting the principles and techniques discussed in our content, software developers can optimize their processes, increase efficiency, and ultimately achieve greater project success.

Read More

Math, Science, and Engineering

We recognize the importance of staying updated on the latest technological advancements in applied mathematics, science, and engineering.

To this end, our content explores cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and complexity theory. These emerging fields are slowly but surely reshaping the world as we know it, and we believe individuals in the software industry must stay informed (at least!) about these changes.

Through our insightful articles and discussions, we aim to shed light on the potential impact of these technological advancements and provide valuable perspectives to our readers.

Read More

Reading and Book Recommendations

Lastly, we understand the value of knowledge and continuous learning in personal and professional growth. That’s why Software Dominos also offers a curated selection of book reviews in a few different categories: business management, science, and cultural Studies.

These reviews highlight influential books that have greatly contributed to our intellectual and professional development. By exploring these recommended readings, readers can gain valuable insights, broaden their horizons, and stay ahead in their respective fields.

Read More

Reader’s Testimonials

What I wanted to say is that the content you have written is awesome, thanks for sharing!
Emil
Lead DevOps Engineer
Came across your blog and was fascinated by your thoughts on Operational Excellence in Software Engineering. Would like to stay connected.
Mrunal
Engineering Manager
I just stumbled upon your website, and it has been incredibly helpful learning the “secrets of the trade” so to speak. […] Your website lays the roadmap to achieve this goal. Thank you for all your content!
Ahmed
Multidisciplinary Back-end Engineer
Hoping you are doing well. I read your article on Operational Excellence. It is one of the best content I read, with clarity on core concepts, with breadth from people to technologies and human psychology aspects. Thanks for sharing.
Mohit
Director, Software Engineering
Reading your posts on softwaredominos.com. They have been incredibly insightful and very well-articulated.
Hussein
Enterprise Architect
I found you through your WordPress contributions about Waterfall and Agile management. Great work, would be happy to connect.
Peter
Engineering Manager Electrical
I came across an article you wrote about Agile, and impressed by your understanding and thoughts on the topic
Allen
Architect

FAQ

Operational Excellence originated at the Toyota Motor Company and refers to its commitment to achieving the highest standards of efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement in its manufacturing and business processes.

This approach manifests itself in the Toyota Production System (TPS), which is the practical framework for Toyota’s operational excellence philosophy. Taichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo originally created the Toyota Production System, which was later expanded by subsequent generations of Toyota leaders.

Yes — Operational Excellence concepts such as Kaizen and Kanban were extensively applied outside manufacturing. The Toyota Way book by Dr Jeffrey Liker had an unmistakable influence on influential software developers such as Kent Beck, the creator of eXtreme Programming for example.

The Toyota Way is a remarkably accessible and insightful publication and is a must-read by any software professional.

Toyota is renowned for its application of operational excellence principles in the automotive manufacturing industry. Operational excellence at Toyota is primarily characterized by the Toyota Production System (TPS), which emphasizes efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. Here is an example of how Toyota applies operational excellence:

  • Just-in-Time (JIT) Production: Toyota is a pioneer in JIT manufacturing. They maintain minimal inventory levels and produce goods only when they are needed. This reduces storage costs, minimizes waste, and allows for quicker response to market changes.
  • Kanban System: Toyota uses a visual management system known as the Kanban system. It involves using cards or signals to control the flow of materials and production. When a product is needed, a Kanban signal triggers its production, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
  • Kaizen (Continuous Improvement): Toyota promotes a culture of continuous improvement. Employees at all levels are encouraged to identify and address problems and inefficiencies in the production process. This fosters a culture of innovation and problem-solving.
  • Andon System: Toyota uses the Andon system to empower workers to stop production if they identify a defect or problem. This immediate feedback loop helps resolve issues promptly, ensuring that defective products don’t accumulate.
  • Poka-Yoke (Mistake-Proofing): Toyota designs its processes and equipment to prevent errors. This includes using simple and foolproof mechanisms to ensure that mistakes are minimized or eliminated.
  • Standardized Work: Toyota places a strong emphasis on standardized work procedures. By documenting and adhering to standardized processes, they ensure consistency and quality in production.
  • Value Stream Mapping: Toyota extensively uses value stream mapping to analyze and optimize the entire production process. This helps in identifying areas of waste and opportunities for improvement.
  • Supplier Relationships: Toyota maintains strong relationships with its suppliers, often working closely with them to improve quality and efficiency. They view suppliers as partners in the value chain.
  • Employee Involvement: Employees are actively involved in decision-making and problem-solving. Cross-functional teams are formed to tackle complex issues and improve processes collaboratively.
  • Jidoka (Autonomation): Toyota’s Jidoka principle involves building automation with human intelligence. Machines are designed to detect abnormalities and stop automatically, preventing defective products from being produced.
  • Continuous Training: Toyota invests in training its employees in the principles of TPS and operational excellence. This ensures that everyone understands and can contribute to the company’s goals.

These are just some examples of how Toyota applies operational excellence in its manufacturing processes. Through a systematic and disciplined approach, Toyota has been able to achieve high levels of efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry.

Yes — Operational Excellence is relevant at all levels of the organisation, including engineers. Since Operational Excellence focuses on implementing visions and long-term plans in turbulent environments, it must include every team, division, and department in the software organisation.

Imagine a car with a steering wheel that cannot effectively direct the car’s movement. Such a vehicle is unmanageable.

Operational Excellence is a philosophy based on a concrete set of ideas. The Toyota Production System (TPS) implements that philosophy that Toyota perfected over many years, while The Toyota Way is a symbolic representation of how the Toyota culture works and how the Toyota leadership would like to socialize that culture outside Japan.

TPS and The Toyota Way are unique to Toyota and bound to the automotive industry. As a philosophy, Operational Excellence can be applied to the manufacturing and services industries alike.

Operational excellence and Six Sigma are two distinct but related approaches to improving processes and achieving higher levels of efficiency and quality within an organization. Here are the key differences between operational excellence and Six Sigma:

  1. Focus and Scope:
    • Operational Excellence: Operational excellence is a broader approach. It encompasses many principles and practices to achieve excellence across all aspects of an organization’s operations, including processes, culture, leadership, and customer satisfaction.
    • Six Sigma: Six Sigma is a more specialized and focused methodology primarily aimed at reducing defects and improving process quality. It uses statistical tools and techniques to identify and eliminate process variation, ultimately striving for near-perfect performance.
  2. Methodology:
    • Operational Excellence: Operational excellence does not prescribe a specific methodology or toolkit. Instead, it encourages organizations to adopt various best practices, such as Lean principles of Total Quality Management (TQM), to improve their operations continuously.
    • Six Sigma: Six Sigma is highly structured and relies on a specific set of tools and techniques, including DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) for process improvement and DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify) for new process design.
  3. Tools and Techniques:
    • Operational Excellence: Organizations pursuing operational excellence may use various tools and techniques depending on their needs and circumstances. These can include Lean tools, process mapping, value stream analysis, and cultural initiatives.
    • Six Sigma: Six Sigma is known for using statistical tools like control charts, regression analysis, and hypothesis testing. It places a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making.
  4. Waste Reduction:
    • Operational Excellence: While waste reduction is a key goal of operational excellence, it is part of a broader effort to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. Various types of waste, including overproduction, waiting, and defects, are addressed.
    • Six Sigma: Six Sigma focuses specifically on reducing process variation and defects. It seeks to minimize deviations from the desired outcome or specification.
  5. Cultural Emphasis:
    • Operational Excellence: Operational excellence often includes cultural elements such as fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee empowerment. It emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and employee engagement.
    • Six Sigma: Six Sigma places less emphasis on culture and more on process improvement through the use of statistical methods. It can be applied within various cultural contexts.

While operational excellence and Six Sigma aim to improve processes and achieve higher efficiency and quality levels, they differ in scope, methodology, tools, and cultural emphasis. Operational excellence is a broader approach that encompasses a variety of principles and practices, while Six Sigma is a more specialized and statistically-driven methodology primarily focused on reducing defects and process variation. Organizations often choose the best approach for their specific goals and needs.