The Benefits of Process Improvement
Process Improvement is the proactive task of identifying, analyzing and improving upon existing business processes within a business or organization for optimization and to meet new quotas or standards of quality. It often involves a systematic approach which follows a specific methodology but there are different approaches to be considered. Processes can either be modified or complemented with sub-processes or even eliminated for the ultimate goal of improvement.
Process Improvement is an ongoing practice and should always be followed up with the analysis of tangible areas of improvement. When implemented successfully, the results can be measured in the enhancement of product quality, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, increased productivity, development of the skills of employees, efficiency and increased profit resulting in higher and faster return on investment (ROI).
Processes that run like clockwork can breathe life into your business (and profits), and ineffective processes can go so far as to kill your company.
Inefficient processes lead to a waste of precious employees’ time
The time that someone spends doing an unnecessary and redundant task could’ve been better spent in more valuable areas.
Working standards can drop
Inefficiently built processes often mean that work becomes defective. Reports can go missing, deadlines can be missed, and employees can drop the ball in so many areas.
Productivity can take a hit
The bottom line in any business or organization is the finances. A reduction in productivity can quickly impact this vital area of your business or organization. If you’re paying a team to do a job that could be easily automated, you’re literally losing money by the minute.
How Process Improvement Works
Business Process Improvement can work in two ways: it can flow through a structured path, or take a more informal route. Either way, though, it tends to follow four common steps.
Process Audits, And Finding Improvement Opportunities
The audit is usually the best place to start process improvement efforts. Here’s what you should be looking for: opportunities to improve process, and potential risk areas. This will help you strategize business or organizational improvement, especially in regard to prioritizing specific areas.
At this stage, it’s a good idea to get an understanding of how tweaking a particular process will impact resources, as well as stakeholders–which may be the organization itself, teams, individual employees, partner organizations, vendors, or customers.
Analyze Processes That Are Currently in Use
Once you’ve established which area you want to improve, spend time analyzing the processes that are in place. You can do this through process mapping (workflows), cause/effect studies, and operational surveys.
Ask the right questions: Check if the process is broken, and where. Which steps cause delays/bottlenecks, and which ones are costly? Which steps cause quality losses?
Build Commitment and Support
Process improvement isn’t an instant do-over. It requires a dedicated commitment across the board, and that’s why getting senior management support is crucial. Managerial support will make the difference when you explain the change in the status quo, and why it is necessary.
Improving processes takes a lot of time and resources, so make sure you get the all-important upper management approval and support.
Strategize Your Process Improvement Plan
A good strategy will include the steps you’ve isolated as problem areas, why they are problem areas, and how you plan to improve them. Make sure that your process improvement objectives are realistic, measurable, and necessary in the context of your business or organization’s strategic long-term and short-term goals.
If you, your business or organization needs support with process improvement, please check out HIVE Connex's Services, and schedule a complimentary consultation to determine your business needs. Please contact us via email at HIVEConnex@gmail.com, dial (267) 420-2076 or contact us.
Feel free to contact us directly with any questions on this particular blog topic, or any of our other HIVE Connex Blog Posts that provide insight and informative content about: the power of positivity, growing your empire, creating a vision board, decision making, business planning, branding in the marketplace, public speaking, creating a social media presence, business communication practices, business ethics, how to generate profit margins, managing through unprecedented and challenging times, building high performance teams, business elevator pitch, community engagement and budget administration.