Overworked employees who are handling larger workloads are experiencing higher stress and could be on the verge of burnout, so now is the time to question your organization’s efficiency.
More than likely, your organization operates using a complex network of processes that were developed ad hoc over a long period of time. New steps were patched in based on evolving needs. Unfortunately, those quick fixes tend to bog down the system with an increasing number of repetitive and nonessential activities. Therefore, organizations need to periodically simplify their operations. By streamlining processes, your organization can trim down and refocus its energies on tasks having important customer and business value.
- Begin by defining procedures. Create simple flow charts that represent current processes. Ask employees familiar with the processes to supply the details.
- Determine what needs changing. Concentrate on one work process at a time. Evaluate each step while remaining impartial and not assigning blame. Look for repetitive steps and eliminate the redundancy. Find problem areas that should be rectified, such as those that produce the most mistakes or that receive an excessive number of complaints.
- Seek solutions. Focus on maximizing time and resources. Think newer, cheaper and faster. Streamlining processes means upgrading technology, eliminating unnecessary tasks, combining steps and reducing wait times. Identify ways to improve the physical environment. Replace tedious tasks with engaging ones so employees feel more fulfilled and inspired.
How do you plan on streamlining processes for your organization?
About the author: Dot Lyon is a freelance writer for organizations including Briefings Media Group. She previously wrote and edited for the Center for Chemistry Education at Miami University.
