Process Strategy

Process Strategy - the pattern or design of decision in management majorly with the aim of achieving competitive priorities to the organization (Gamble & Thompson, 2014).  Ideally, process strategy is what is implemented at various management levels to guide process decisions, the ability to organize resources and operations plan. Being a critical determinant of organizational success, the process strategy applied at the organization must always be fit for its situation.  More importantly, it must always consider customer involvement, ensures resource flexibility, capital intensity, and an efficient process structuring which Panera has effectively implemented.

Major Decisions for Effective Processes

Process Analysis - the documentation and detailed understanding of how work is performed and how it can be redesigned

Process Structuring - refers to the various components of the process that ensures the flow of operations in the entire organization.  Ideally, this is a layout or the physical arrangement of operations resulting from the combination of various processes that puts the decisions into a tangible form (Gamble & Thompson, 2014).  Indeed, Panera has become a chill-out spot for most customers due to its elaborate process structuring (Elliott, 2013).  At the bottom line lies production of line quality products that suits customers' taste and preference.  These products are then supplied to multiple business location or its facilities to enable customers to make a purchase.  Subsequently, the employees ensure the cakes, as well as other products, are well displayed to entice consumers.

Customer Involvement - Customer involvement refers to means through which the clients or customers become part of the strategy process and the level of their participation in decision making.  This means that the organization must always involve high levels of customer contact in the strategy process.  For example, to ensure efficiency and large consumption of products to various locations, Panera carries out continuous research on its consumer base to determine what they need in their menus.  They then again train the clients on their ordering system and provide ordering pamphlets to involve the customer in their processes.

Resource Flexibility - Resource flexibility refers to the decisions taken by the organization to ensure process divergence as well as diverse process flows in its system.  This involves ensuring flexibility of the organization's resources including facilities, employees, and equipment.  At Panera, resources are made flexible as much as possible to ensure efficiency and exceptional performance.  For instance, employees enjoy work flex time to boost their performance and productivity to the organization through cross-training.

Capital Intensity - Capital intensity refers to the mix of human skills and the organization's equipment in the process strategy to ensure the relative cost of equipment.  This may include the use of automated equipment that requires little human intervention with the primary objective of minimizing costs.  For instance, Panera spends significant amounts of revenue in purchasing new equipment and investing in new facilities to help remain competitive in the industry.  Subsequently, the employees are trained on the new equipment and facility operations to ensure efficiency and productivity to the organization in general.