How do you scope a process design project?

1 Identify the problem

The first step is to identify the problem or opportunity that you want to address with process design. What is the current situation, and what are the pain points, gaps, or inefficiencies that you want to solve? How does the problem affect your customers, employees, or other stakeholders? How do you measure the impact of the problem, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that you want to improve? You can use tools such as interviews, surveys, observations, data analysis, or root cause analysis to gather information and insights about the problem.

2 Define the goal

The next step is to define the goal or vision of your process design project. What is the desired outcome or benefit that you want to achieve with process design? How will you know if you have succeeded, and what are the success criteria or metrics that you will use to evaluate your results? How does the goal align with your organization's strategy, values, and objectives? You can use tools such as SMART goals, OKRs, or vision statements to articulate your goal and make it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

3 Scope the process

The third step is to scope the process that you want to design or improve. What is the scope of the process, and what are its inputs, outputs, activities, and dependencies? How does the process relate to other processes or systems in your organization or environment? Who are the customers, users, or beneficiaries of the process, and what are their needs, expectations, and feedback? You can use tools such as process maps, flowcharts, SIPOC diagrams, or customer journey maps to visualize and document the process and its scope.

4 Identify the stakeholders

The fourth step is to identify the stakeholders who are involved in or affected by your process design project. Who are the sponsors, owners, managers, or leaders of the process, and what are their roles, responsibilities, and authority? Who are the team members, experts, or consultants who will work on the process design project, and what are their skills, availability, and communication preferences? Who are the other internal or external stakeholders who have an interest, influence, or impact on the process, and what are their expectations, concerns, or requirements? You can use tools such as stakeholder analysis, RACI matrix, or power-interest grid to identify and prioritize your stakeholders and their needs.

5 Define the deliverables

The fifth step is to define the deliverables that you will produce and deliver as part of your process design project. What are the outputs, outcomes, or artifacts that you will create or modify with process design? How will you document, present, or communicate your deliverables to your stakeholders? How will you test, validate, or verify your deliverables to ensure quality and accuracy? How will you implement, deploy, or transition your deliverables to the operational environment? You can use tools such as project charter, scope statement, work breakdown structure, or deliverable list to define and manage your deliverables and their scope.

6 Plan the resources

The sixth and final step is to plan the resources that you will need and use for your process design project. What are the time, budget, and quality constraints or assumptions that you have to consider or comply with? What are the human, material, or technical resources that you will need or use to complete your deliverables? How will you allocate, schedule, or coordinate your resources to meet your deadlines and milestones? How will you monitor, control, or report your resource usage and performance? You can use tools such as project plan, Gantt chart, resource matrix, or budget report to plan and track your resources and their scope.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?