Too often, we see organisations trying to put in a new system without improving the processes that will make it work effectively.
A new system will only take you so far. It’s important to place some focus on the processes that will support your new system.
Don’t just implement a new system, improve the processes behind It.
Here are 9 tips to help you get started:
Document your processes
By documenting your process, understand where you are today and have a centrally set of working practices that you follow as a team.
Also, by doing this you will be able to identify any gaps or improvements that need to be made. For instance, you will be able to see what works and what doesn’t, so that you can make improvements.
Take stock of your processes
As you document, assess things and understand how your processes will need to adapt to the new system.
- Do you have the right number of steps?
- Are there any processes that will no longer be needed?
Make sure you understand your current processes before trying to improve them.
Look at your processes as a team
Discuss ideas for improving things. What can you stop doing? What can you change? What needs to be improved?
If you don’t involve your team in the process, you are much less likely to have buy-in and support for any changes you make.
Work together to identify areas for improvement and focus on making things faster and easier for everyone.
Implement changes gradually
Don’t try to change everything overnight. Test, get feedback and make changes as needed.
One of the keys to successful process improvement is patience and willingness to keep refining your processes as needed.
By taking the time to implement things step by step, you will be able to make real, long-term improvements to the way your company works.
Train your team
Once you’ve agreed on a new approach, make sure everyone has the knowledge and skills they need to carry them out effectively.
With the right training, your team will be able to work more efficiently and make the most of any new system you implement.
So take some time to train and support your team, and you’ll find that you can really make improvements in your business processes.
Use data effectively
Collect data during your journey and use it to help you understand where further improvements can be made.
For example:
- What processes are taking longer than they should?
- Where are people getting stuck?
By understanding where the bottlenecks are, you can work to improve them and make your processes even more effective.
Implement technology effectively
Make sure the new system is fit for purpose. If it doesn’t fit your current ways of working, will it improve things?
The thing is to ensure that any new system is a good fit for your current processes so that you can get the most out of it.
Build a process-focused culture
Encourage everyone to think about the processes they use every day and how they can be improved.
The more everyone is focused on process improvement, the more improvements you will make as a company.
Define your end goal
When you free up time spent on processes, how are you going to use it to drive value? What are your goals?
Make sure you know what your end goals are so that you can work backwards and ensure your processes help you to achieve them.
Conclusion
Making sure your processes change alongside your system implementation will make things run smoother for everyone and help you achieve your goals faster.
Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to process improvement in no time.
Need help with implementing a new system or improving your business processes? We’re here to help. Get in touch today.
