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Why does your business need process mapping?

October 27, 2021
Discussing the potential benefits of process mapping
 

A successful business is driven by processes, human capital, and technology. To improve the consumer experience and generate economic value, companies need to leverage these factors effectively. As long as an organization continuously improves these critical success factors, it will gain a competitive advantage.

 

Nevertheless, a business may eventually reach a point where growth ceases. It is at this point where a reform or a change is needed. An entirely new approach to the way you do business might be a good idea.

 

Introduction of new products, transformation of business processes, and adaptation of new technology are essential business growth strategies.

 

Implementing a strategy is often a complex process. Additionally, organizations are often reluctant to embrace change. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Employees are comfortable with existing practices,

  • Inefficient deployment of new technology,

  • Complex organizational structures.

Failure in change implementation can cost a fortune to a business.

Working with professionals that deal with business processes, human resources, technology, and consumer experiences can do an excellent job for a business.

 

“When things get done by the professionals, the risk of failure is minimized

 

Process mapping is one of the many benefits that an operation professional can provide.

Process mapping: A Simple Explanation

Things become easy when there’s a clear visual picture of what a company wants to do and the execution process.

Process mapping puts things into perspective for better visualization of your current state. It is a visual depiction of work activities or steps, tasks, and technology. A business will benefit from it in the following ways:

  • Identifying what the business needs.

  • Explains how a strategy will be executed (where to start and where to end a job strategically).

  • Helps in the selection of suitable people for different work roles at different stages of a process.

  • Clarify that what tools, equipment, technology, and other resources are required to complete a process.

  • Clarifies whether or not your current processes are cumbersome and need to be simplified, streamlined, and automated.

There may be complexities associated with new processes and technology integrations. Most of the time, organizations encounter difficulties during implementation because they failed to do the work of uncovering current state processes and technology. Without process maps, you are adding another layer of complexity by adding another technology solution to a problem you haven’t fully identified or defined.

As an example, a new technological infrastructure does not come with user guides and operating instructions. So, adding it to solve a problem without addressing anything else will just make the problem bigger with a band-aid over it. If people are not appropriately trained on the new software, you haven’t phased out old software and the process has only been adjusted but not really fixed you have a recipe for disaster. It’s necessary to follow a plan with the right technology, flowcharts, and processes maps.

The design of a process map that is clear and professional standardizes business operations and facilitates the implementation of new business strategies, technologies, and refined workflows.

 

In conclusion

Businesses may have a set of instructions but typically fail to revise them as the business grows and people get busy, resign, hire, etc. Process mapping can help identify the current state, what isn’t working and guide you and your team to do this better. It facilitates the workplace by establishing a process flow, employee roles, and the importance of each job step. By doing so, businesses can improve efficiency, productivity, and growth.

The graphic is a visual explanation of an operational journey that at its core is based on process mapping.

About the author:

Cornerstone Paradigm Consulting, LLC is an industry agonistic business operations consulting firm going beyond the symptoms and getting to the root cause of business issues.