In a previous post, we set the foundation of getting the most our of your strategic initiatives. Subsequently, we dove deep into one of the key pillars - power skills that are essential to make your strategic initiatives successful.
In this post, we take a detailed look at how process improvement can help you get the most out of your strategic initiatives.
Process improvement
In today’s ever evolving business world, process improvement has become a fundamental aspect of ensuring that strategic initiatives are successful. The key aim of process improvement is to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in existing processes, optimise workflows, and ultimately enhance performance.
The success of any strategic initiative depends heavily on the processes implemented to implement it. Organisations that focus on process improvement can better manage change, identify impediments, and implement necessary modifications in real-time to ensure successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
Process improvement is not a one-time exercise but rather a continuous process that touches every aspect of the organisation's operations. If an organisation remains stagnant, it will be left behind. A desire to continuously look for efficiencies in processes (through leaner processes, or automation) yields reduced cost structures, optimal resource utilisation, better customer experiences and ultimately profitability.
Power skills are an essential element of process improvement. Well developed power skills ensure that teams adapt well to changing project requirements, remain innovative and communicate effectively. By combining power skill development with process improvement initiatives, organisations can boost employee accountability and ownership in the implementation of strategic initiatives.
Business Process Management (BPM)
There are various best-practice methodologies available for process improvement (some being industry specific). However, one of the most relevant and industry-agnostic approaches is the Business Process Management (or BPM) methodology. In its simplest form, the BPM follows 5 main steps as depicted below.
Process improvement is essential in ensuring the success of strategic initiatives. By focusing on process improvement organisations can optimise their operations and execute projects to align with strategic initiatives. Prioritising continuous process improvement ensures that operations remain agile, efficient, and adaptable in a constantly changing business environment.
Bringing the 3 pillars together
The connectedness between the 3 pillars helps create a coordinated effort when designing and implementing strategic initiatives. Skill development helps the organisation evaluate and prepare for the new way of working. Process improvement carefully designs the new way of working. Technology adoption, in turn, leverages improvements in the new way of working.
Together the 3 pillars help an organisation prepare itself for growth while ensuring operational excellence. When any one (or even two) of these is missing, the organisation can be assured of sub-standard success in strategic initiatives. It is thus essential that those in leadership positions carefully allocate budget and resources to each of the 3 pillars to set their organisation up for success.
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