The checklist below shows some very good places to start when looking for efficiency candidates in existing process maps.
This checklist should include a review that searches for:
- Complex Processes
- Redundant Tasks
- Delays in Task or Process timing
- Wait time between Tasks
- Tasks Duration
- Task Frequency
To explain these points in more detail:
- Identifying overly complex processes – not because it is a truly complex process but because a basic processes has too many tasks.
- Identifying redundant tasks. Very similar tasks that are done by more than one role in the process.
- Finding delays in task or process timing. These may vary from long wait times
between tasks, long task durations or tasks occurring frequently. By checking these times you may identify the tasks that are creating the bottlenecks that slow the process. - Examine the use of resources – including roles and tools. Are there tools that are being wasted, or maxed out? Is the same true for some people in the organization? Are there tools (documents/templates/systems) that are created once and then never used again, and the outcome doesn’t add value to the process? Check each of these points carefully and systematically.
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