The Improvement of the Benchmarking Process according to AUN-QA Criteria with the Implementation of ECRSIT of Faculty of Liberal Arts, Prince of Songkla University

Abstract

Faculty of Liberal Arts, Prince of Songkla University has adopted the ASEAN University Nextwork Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) guidelines for almost a decade to ensure its development of high-quality academic programs, and curriculum benchmarking is one of the most important criteria required by the AUN-QA framework. Therefore, to enhance the efficiency of the benchmarking process, the objectives of this study were to analyze conditions of the process implemented by the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Prince of Songkla University and to examine the approaches to and for the improvement of the process according to the AUN-QA criteria with the ECRS^IT (Eliminate Combine Rearrange Simplify) method. Using a flow-process chart and a flow diagram, as well as classifying values of operating activities, the study found that in the former work process 3,360 minutes were spent overall on the waiting period between procedures, and 2,960 minutes on the operating time. The total duration for the overall work process was 6,320 minutes, including 31 non-value-added activities. When using the 5W1H method to analyze problems of the work process, it revealed that sending documents was the step that caused waiting periods and extra operating activities. With the technological application of Lean and ECRS^IT, the study proposed six process improvement approaches that could immediately enhance the activities. After implementing these approaches, the waiting period between procedures was shortened to 1,680 minutes, the operating time was 1,655 minutes, the total duration was 3,335 minutes. As a result, the total duration of the overall work process was reduced by 52.77 percent. It was concluded that Lean led to problem solving and helped to reduce waste as well as offering solutions for improving and increasing work efficiency. Furthermore, the use of technology in the workplace helped to eliminate non-value-added activities, reduce waiting periods and increase the productivity of operators and organizations.