How to Develop Workflow Processes
Developing workflow processes involves identifying the tasks involved in a particular process and how they interact with one other. The goal is to create an efficient process that minimizes the amount of work that can be completed in the timeframe that is desired. The input of stakeholders is a crucial component of developing workflow processes as it can help to identify any potential hurdles that might arise and help make the process more efficient.
Getting Started
Begin by sketching out the steps that have to be done to automate the process you want to automate. Ask your team to describe the current processes and what they think could be improved. Then, you can take these suggestions and structure them into a process by asking questions such as what specific tasks need to be completed? Who is responsible for each task? How do I complete each task?
Once you’ve identified the tasks, figure out the person who will be responsible for each step, and any overlapping duties that have to be eliminated. Then, draw an outline of each step and their relationships to one another. Arrows can be used to show the dependencies between tasks, or diamond shapes for decisions points.
Once the workflow is created It is important to test it to make sure that it functions smoothly. Make sure that all necessary information is given to the team, particularly when there are dependencies or any other exceptions. Finalize, and incorporate feedback from team members who use the routinely to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency.