// Business Process Optimization

Purpose

The business processes must meet the productivity requirements as expressed by the size of the market the company can and wants to cover within the allowed constraints of time, cost and quality.

Companies that provide critical services and are pressed to meet tight time constraints do not have the ability to shut down operations in order to rebuild optimised processes from scratch. Perhaps the only option available is continuous optimization “on the fly”.

The usual objectives of optimisation are to minimise costs and maximise efficiency within the constraints introduced by the available technology and the human factor.

About

Process optimization is a method for functionally adapting a defined set of parameters towards a goal, taking into account certain constraints.

Examples

– Elimination of redundancies

– Reduction of time to obtain approvals

– Rationalisation of workflows

– Improved communication

– Timely forecasting and preparation for effective change management

Intended benefits

– Improving the quality of the products and services produced

– Reduction of risk

– Rational use of available resources

– Coherence of results

– Visible traceability

– Implementation of automation opportunities

– Business continuity

Steps for implementation

 Step 1: Recognition

Optimization can be achieved either collectively or by selecting a problematic process that we want to optimize as a pilot. We define the purpose and goal of the optimization.

Alternatively, we can choose the method of implementation from Zero-Base.

Suppose the process does not exist and we wanted to set it up from scratch how would we do it today? Do we continue to run a process just because that’s how we “found” it ?

For documentation we use the SIPOC method. The SIPOC method highlights both vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement. It is indeed useful for the integration of ISO management systems because it highlights where we can apply quality control points, information security points and so on.

Step 2: Analysis

Does the process meet the desired objectives? Is there excessive waste or time friction that needs to be reduced? What are the performance measurement indicators?

Step 3: Reconsideration

Removing redundant elements and designing the revised procedure in its new form.

Step 4: Implementation

Implementation of the procedure in its new form.

Step 5: Monitoring and adaptation

Monitor performance and make adjustments until the desired result is achieved. Results must be measurable.