What is Process Management?
I found these definitions, amongst many others, online:
“Process management is a systematic approach to ensure that effective and efficient business processes are in place. It is a methodology used to align business processes with strategic goals.” (1)
“Business process management (BPM) is the discipline in which people use various methods to discover, model, analyse, measure, improve, optimize, and automate business processes. Any combination of methods used to manage a company's business processes is BPM” (2)
For me, Process Management is one part of the Business Hat Trick that sets you up to grow and succeed.
These 3 parts feature prominently in the McKinsey 7-S Model for Strategic Planning (3), The Shingo Model for Organisational Excellence (4), Kotters Eight Steps (5) and many other models.
Just like the 3-legged race, each of these 3 legs needs to be in sync with each other to go for the win, we need all 3 primary colours available to paint the rainbow, and all 3 wheels on the tricycle to move together to make good progress.
Yes, process management does require some effort, and some time, and some resources to create and maintain, but if you think you don’t need process, ask yourself the following questions:
If the answer to any of these is Yes that happens, then it’s likely that some focus on process could really help change and improve things for the better.
Does your business currently have a written record of “how you do things around here”?
Do you train your staff through verbal training with them taking their own notes?
Having written SOP’s ensures that you can create consistency, reduce errors and improve efficiency in completion of repeatable tasks, not only when training new starters, but also to support existing employees.
I like to think of process management as giving my memory and brain a break.
If we take all of the repeatable elements of a job, assess in detail the most efficient and effective ways of doing those elements, and create easy to use SOP’s as the custodians of that detail – then I don’t have to spend time remembering how to do those tasks, or using my brain to figure out the best way every time.
That then gives me more time and space to focus on the parts of my job that aren’t repeatable, and that need to be bespoke or tailored each time. These are also so often the parts that actually add value to clients, create innovative products, or make working with you more attractive. These are so often the parts of your business that matter the most.
So why not use process management to give you more time and space to focus less on the repeatable tasks, and more on the valuable, innovative and important tasks.
No, some would say, process management is not as “sexy” or as interesting as the other 2 legs in the race, but it is just as crucial. To find out more on how you can utilise Process Management to improve your business, book a free, no-obligation call: https://calendly.com/boxboxsolutions/30min
References
Box Box Solutions provides bespoke packages of facilitated development that enable you to grow your business.
Post articles and opinions on Lancashire Professionals
to attract new clients and referrals. Feature in newsletters.
Join for free today and upload your articles for new contacts to read and enquire further.
