Building Sustainable Operational Excellence Management Systems

The purpose of a fully integrated operational excellence management system is to provide a
single control framework for managing producing assets across an organization. It integrates
and simplifies the best of the current management systems while incorporating external best
practices. It is a set of processes needed to organize asset management capabilities, ensuring
that activities are performed consistently in a joined-up manner and systematically improved to
deliver excellent sustainable business outcomes. An operational excellence management
system establishes the controls to operate the business through a set of standards and
manuals, respectively describing the “what” and the “how” which should be mandatory for all
assets to comply with these practices.

I’ve led two separate company wide initiatives in building a sustainable operational excellence
management system reaching over 120 assets worldwide. This by no means was an easy task,
however, by leveraging a proven change & implementation methodology it can be achieved.
This is done by building an operational management system that is fully integrated, that is
simpler, leader-led, using standardized processes focused on risk, reliability, and operational
performance. It is supported by clear accountabilities and the right tools to make it easier for
the business to apply and sustain. While businesses are complex, an effective operational
excellence management system enables simplicity, clarity and focus: establishing clear and
simple expectations so it is easier for our frontline employees and leaders to make decisions
that will help them focus on the right work to keep people safe, the assets reliable and the
business profitable.

• Getting crystal clear on the business outcome the processes drive towards

• Standing up the project PMO with clear accountabilities & deliverables

• Engage with the frontline and SME in the development of the process standards

• Leader led with strong central support to drive ownership deep into the organization

• Embed core principles to help people understand the importance of process work

• Introduce capabilities to lead in a process based organization

• Drive accountability at all levels of the organization

• Establish process networks to build upon best practices both internally and externally

• Utilize a proven change, communications & implementation approach

• Conducting comprehensive change impact assessments and organizational health assessments