What do you do if your process design lacks strategic thinking?

Ideally a process design that is not aligned to the strategic objective, will never be successful. From my personal experience, the second most important aspect before creating a process design is alignment with all the stakeholders. If your process is not in line with "what is in it for them", it will again not be successful. Each stakeholder has a different path and a different approach of reaching the strategic objective. And if your process design is contrary to their plan, even if it is aligned to the overall strategic objective, they will not cooperate in implementing it. Strategic thinking after all is not just blindly running towards the goal but collaborating across functions to ensure that each and every perspective is considered.

Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your current process design approach and its alignment with strategic objectives. Evaluate the extent to which strategic thinking is integrated into your process design activities, including goal-setting, problem-solving, and decision-making processes. Identify any gaps or shortcomings in strategic thinking that may be hindering the effectiveness of your process design efforts.

The best way is to start by defining clear, desired outcomes. ?? Clarify your goals using tools like SMART objectives, OKRs, KPIs, or a balanced scorecard to align with your company’s vision and mission. This approach helps set specific, measurable, and achievable targets, ensuring your processes drive real value to customers and stakeholders. How do you ensure your process design is strategically aligned? Share your methods!

Select the most suitable solution or approach for integrating strategic thinking into your process design efforts. Tailor your strategy to the unique needs, context, and challenges of your organization. Prioritize initiatives that align with strategic priorities, have a clear business case, and offer potential for high impact and value creation.

Implement your chosen solution for incorporating strategic thinking into your process design activities. Develop a detailed action plan with clear objectives, timelines, and responsibilities. Engage key stakeholders, including leadership, cross-functional teams, and subject matter experts, in the implementation process. Monitor progress closely and make adjustments as needed to ensure successful execution.

Step 0. Determine what are strategic objectives of the overall organization (aka North Star). Figure out if your department’s strategies align with the North Star. Step All. Know the cultures and subcultures of your organization and department. Figure out if what you want to accomplish is actually supported by Execs, middle management and front line employees. While not everyone will be onboard but try to assess the causes of resistance.

I have read all these measurements and strategies. Each one of them hold higher position and designation. All sounds so intellectual and precise. Some of them i couldn't understand too, maybe most of. Pardon me. But what i learnt from my experience is every problem needs to be fixed from the ground roots. A project is like a seed and the gardener should be honest to his efforts and commitments.