When You Hit a Roadblock, Sometimes You Have to Move the Road. Best practice of the week: 3.2.1 Workflow analysis

You might now see disrupted workflow, supply chains and lines of communications. There are well-established best practices for quickly defining and redesigning efficient work processes: your employees, customers, vendors and community are counting on you. Keep calm and carry on!

THE CENTER'S MANAGEMENT TERM OF THE WEEK:  3.2.1 Workflow analysis.

Definition of Workflow analysis: Determining how to optimize the sequence of activities for routine and customized work.

Practice Summary

• Define: What (purpose), Why (inputs and outputs), How (main tasks), When, Who, Where
• Determine: major decision points
• Develop: a checklist for completeness and a workflow diagram for efficiency and consistency
• Click the image below for the 4 resources approved by our Review Board.

3 Good Questions (discuss in a management meeting)

1. What can happen to change our work processes?
2. Do we have too many exceptions to our standard processes?
3. How does our physical layout limit process efficiencies?

World War II forced many innovations which in its aftermath improved the global quality of life: penicillin, computers and pressurized airplane cabins. In today’s crisis, your team can strengthen their collaborative spirit by working together to develop new and better means of working.

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The Center for Management Terms & Practices is the standards body for general management. It trains managers at every level to use the standard language and tools of management for effective collaboration in plans, decisions and projects. See The GMs Index and The GMs Toolkit. #managementtermsandpractices