Knowledge Bank – F to J
F
Fault Tree Analysis – Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a technique for reliability and safety analysis. Bell Telephone Laboratories developed the concept in 1962 for the US Air Force for use with the Minuteman system. It was later adopted and extensively applied by the Boeing Company. Fault tree analysis is one of many symbolic “analytical logic techniques” found in operations research and in system reliability.
Five S – Five S (or more commonly 5S) is a Japanese approach to organising a workplace. It is often one of the early techniques used as organisations move towards becoming ‘lean’. This is because it offers ‘quick wins’ that help to build momentum.
Feedback – 360 degree feedback is a performance appraisal method that gathers feedback on an individual from several sources. This measurement or appraisal requires that the employee’s productivity be evaluated by everyone they work or interact with daily, including those, above and below their job level. All evaluators must know and understand their co-worker’s overall role and function, daily work duties, professional credentials and communication skills.
G
Glossary of Terms used in Management Services
Gemba (Gemba Walk) – Initially developed by Taiichi Ohno, an executive at Toyota, to counter a common problem with complex projects. Whereby the project team and the people involved lose sight of the detailed work that goes into the very process they are trying to improve. Since its inception is has been developed and expanded to include almost every sector and industry. Where ever a process takes place a Gemba Walk can be performed.
H
Hot Desking – The concept comes from an old navy practice in warships, where to save valuable space, bunks were shared by sailors who were on different shifts. Hot desking refers to the sharing of a desk/seat/workstation arrangement by more than one member of staff.
Humaneering – Is an emerging applied science with the goal of maximising the actualisation and achievement of individuals, groups, organisations, institutions and other complex systems dependent on human effectiveness.
I
Innovation Clusters – The most famous innovation cluster, of course, is Silicon Valley. In such clusters, there is a frequent and strong interaction between many individuals and organisations, on both formal and informal levels. Science parks are an attempt to create clusters of like-minded individuals and organisations and to provide them with their basic infrastructure needs.