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Productivity is important. I’ve written some articles lately about productivity, but they’ve been focused on individual productivity strategies. Today, I wanted to talk about business processes.
I was reminded about the subject because I came across one of those old plastic flow chart stencils. Yep, I admit it. I still have one after all these years. And every time I clean out my desk drawer, I think about tossing it but for some unknown reason, I don’t. Then it occurred to me why flow charts are so handy.
Flow charts aren’t an excuse to create complex processes. They serve as documentation and confirmation that a process works. When we have good processes, we have better productivity.
When organizations are considering process changes, creating a flow chart of the current process can be extremely valuable. It can show where “dead ends” exist. You know what I’m talking about. When employees are supposed to get approval from someone – but that someone doesn’t exist. Maybe because the position was recently eliminated.
Flow charts might also identify “infinity loops”. If we use the same example above, an infinity loop happens when an employee actually finds that “someone” they need for approval, but they’re sent back to the start of the process. It can be incredibly frustrating. Not to mention the drain on productivity.
Not only would it be interesting to document organization-wide business process, but it could also be interesting to ask managers to include a flow chart of their department processes when they create them. This could be beneficial in the development. They might notice something right away versus implementing a process and then making adjustments later.
Oh, and please don’t think the only way to create a flow chart is with an old piece of plastic. You can use Microsoft’s SmartArt or Shapes to create a flow chart. Best of all – it’s free. With organizations increasing their spend on artificial intelligence, it could make a lot of sense to revisit business process and ensure they are current.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Las Vegas, NV
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