Process change as a solution to organizational inefficiency

¶ … Redefining supervision and workers may be required as well, but will not have a positive impact until the appropriate foundation is in place for them to work.

First, the company is dealing with multiple issues regarding processes between several departments. It appears that certain departments are functioning in a way that achieves their own objectives rather than the overall goal of the company. Process change will help define and ensure correct applications of roles and responsibilities between the departments and will promote consistency with organizational goals.

Secondly, there is evidence of considerable resistance to existing processes with rogue activity by departments to get their job done and frequent intervention by management to resolve issues. People must be motivated to behave in a certain way and process change holds the solution provided that they are given the appropriate organizational and personal satisfaction incentives. Further, properly run processes offer management the visibility and tools they need to monitor and control performance and to optimize resource allocation.

Last, but certainly not least, the company needs to streamline given its new economic realities. Process change is about driving efficiency into operational processes by: eliminating costly and time-consuming steps, automating tasks and decision making; allowing processes to be repeated consistently; and driving processes proactively to enforce and monitor deadlines.

Processes hold the key to effective cross-functional interactions, process compliance and operational efficiency.