Process Improvement – part 3

In our previous two posts we provided a high level overview of 3 steps to leaner processes and delved deeper into how to measure your processes.  In our last post of the series we’ll focus on eliminating waste and determining non-value add activities.

Eliminating waste is a key principle of a Lean, Just It Time approach to process improvement.  As you review your processes you may find that waste within certain steps of a process that could be streamlined or eliminated all together.  This can be approached through a detailed review of each step in your process, and then identifying the activities that are conducted within each step of the process.

In addition, after you have reviewed the areas of potential “waste” in your processes and then identified the activities that are conducted within each step of the process, you need to ask your self “Are there aspects within the process that are non-value add?”  Would they be impactful to your candidate or hiring manager, or the employee?  If the answer is no then you should consider either altering that activity (can the time be reduced, leveraged by a different resource, etc.) In some cases the answer may be to remove that step in the process all together.

The leading practice way to approach this is in a focused session in which a cross-section of key stakeholders review the process and then identify areas that could be deemed as wasteful or determined if they are value added.  As you document each step in the process the team can have a quick vote across these two measures.

We hope you have found the information in this series helpful.  In the meantime if you’d like to improve your process cycle times by 20% or more, learn more about our  Process improvement offering > If you’re just ready to dive in then Contact Us!