A critical element of any engagement we undertake is to leave the client with the tools to ensure that their process diagrams are sustainable.
There is no long-term value in spending time and money on creating a set of diagrams which are not maintained. These are simply a snapshot of a process at a point in time which quickly become outdated and irrelevant. Too often we speak to organisations who tell us that they have procedures or diagrams in place (typically documented to support a specific project) which haven’t been updated since they were created.
As per previous posts, having process diagrams in place creates a platform for many organisational benefits, but these benefits are lost, or worse, misinformed, if the supporting data is no longer reflective of how tasks are performed.
The diagram to the right provides an overview of the methodology we embed:
- Capture the “As Is” process – how things actually work.
- Every diagram is assigned an owner, who is responsible for reviewing the diagram(s) for accuracy and approving as necessary. This is done within the software, thereby creating an audit trail.
- The approved diagrams are used to identify and address areas of inefficiency, risk etc., with process changes being updated in your diagrams.
- On a quarterly basis, all diagram owners are required to attest (again within the software) that their diagrams remain an accurate representation of the current process. Any changes are raised and reflected within the process diagrams.
- All new processes are captured within the software and enter the sustainability cycle.
We believe that by using this method, an organisation can implement the basis for real and ongoing change by ensuring that effective processing is a key and ongoing part of their people’s roles.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss how we can help you to implement sustainability around your process optimisation programmes.