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			Business Operating System Companies frequently do not achieve the results they desire because their organizations often lack commitment and involvement. A Business Operating System (BOS) provides a framework that ensures a strong connection between strategy, the organization and its leadership by means of sharing information and cooperative decision making. A BOS helps owners and managers organize the flow of information throughout the company so that all employees, from the front line to the boardroom, understand how their individual actions influence the company's overall performance. A BOS employs a scoreboard to communicate how the company is performing versus the desired results. We believe that workflow in any organization can be addressed by viewing it as a process. This provides a sound basis for developing a shared understanding of how work should be performed, and in turn, a basis for cooperative efforts for improvement. BOS can be thought of as a systematic approach for improving business performance. The following are the elements of a BOS:
		BOS Element How the element is developed 1. System of Work Macro flowchart showing the sequence of key processes 2. Written Procedures of Key Processes Micro flowcharts showing the sequence of tasks within a process, identifying who performs the individual tasks, how, and what outputs (materials, documents, forms, or other information) are created. 3. Document and Data Control Master list of all documents (policy, procedure, instruction, plan, drawing, specification, etc.) utilized within the System of Work. Documents contain instructional information and data on how the system functions, how activities and tasks are to be carried out, and how to build products and provide services. 4. Operations Manual & Job Descriptions Guidelines on how a department within the System of Work should operate (the combination of 1-3). 5. Scoreboard Tracking and keeping score promotes performance improvement. Identifying the key measurables necessary to drive the business helps communicate what is important and ensures that the measurables are reviewed on a regular basis. 6. Visual Management System (VMS) Employees naturally feel more enthusiastic about improvement when they can see the relationship between their individual actions and the company's performance. VMS provides a quick and effective way to share information and is critical to assess the progress of performance improvement initiatives. 7. Management Reviews Management Reviews (daily, weekly and/or monthly) assess the continuing suitability and effectiveness of the System of Work.
	A challenge for every profit-seeking organization is how to make more money while controlling costs and investment. In today's fast-paced and highly competitive environment, we need our organizations to be flexible, but still lead to predictable results. A company is comprised of various functions that should perform in harmony with each other. Therefore, people, who interact throughout the system, should be allowed to improve the workplace. February 2005