Organizing your company’s workflow will increase efficiency and productivity, eliminate unnecessary tasks, enhance communication and save time. It will also make it easier to pinpoint problems and find ways to improve processes.
To create a workflow, the first step is to define what needs to be accomplished and the steps that will be involved, and who is responsible for each task. It’s important to identify those who are involved and bring them together to brainstorm ideas to assist in the creation of the current workflow. Subject matter experts can assist in determining where handoffs occur and the order in which tasks are completed and other aspects that must be considered.
For instance an film production team may include people conducting research on the project, others working on editing and collecting material while others are engaged in pre-production tasks. A workflow can bring all employees together, assist them in deciding on tasks and ensure that deadlines are adhered to.
Many tools can be used to build and implement workflows. However, project management software is one of the most well-known. Software like Kanbanchi makes it simple to create lists and assign tasks. The process can be documented and then shared among teams to facilitate collaboration. It is often necessary to provide a transitional period for employees to become familiar with the new workflow model. This can be accomplished by holding “office hours” with technology specialists to assist with any questions and smooth the transition.
Certain processes have multiple workflows. For example, procurement includes several related workflows. Each workflow is designed to meet an objective of the business. This means that they are all interconnected and need to be monitored to ensure they are achieving their objectives.
