How to do more with less resources….
It seems like every industry is being hit hard right now, with layoffs in the headlines almost daily. Whether you’re experiencing layoffs or just a general tightening of the belt, you need to figure out a way to do more with less resources.
An easy way to do this, is to really look at the processes that you manage and see if there are any unnecessary or redundant steps that you can eliminate from a process….
- Create A Process Map - Start out with a high-level process map (4-6 process steps), then work towards a mid-level one that shows you more details….this is where you start seeing opportunities to lean out your process. Just make sure that you capture the actual process and not the perceived process….it’s very common for there to be a disconnect between the actual process and what’s documented in a procedure.
- Challenge The Necessity Of Each Process Step – Each step should have a purpose behind it (regulatory requirement, etc.)….don’t be afraid to ask ‘why’ a step is included in the process if it doesn’t make sense or there’s no apparent purpose or justification for it. Be on the lookout for responses such as “we’ve always done it this way”.
- Update Documents - If any changes are made to your process, update your documentation to reflect the changes (Standard Operating Procedure, Work Instructions, etc.).
Take care,
Sandra
