Do your staff members keep all of the details of accomplishing critical tasks in their heads?
How would these tasks be completed if they were no longer with the firm?
Documentation will be the basis for “Root Cause” analysis to identify corporate challenges.
Where do you start?
- Selecting processes for your organization’s improvement project portfolio is similar to investment strategies – identifying the right processes will have a direct effect on your ROI and whether you meet your organizational goals.
- After a group of prospective processes is identified, prioritize them based on the needs of your customers and business goals/objectives. Once prioritized, prepare a written documentation of the process.
Flow Charting or mapping gives the reader a visual of the processes with the use of diagrams and decision points. Other benefits of flow charting or process mapping, includes the following:
- It identifies functions or departments, “swim lanes”, where processes cross. It will identify redundancies in processes and overlap with decision makers.
- Engages the entire organization in formalizing the organizational processes and assists in the “buy in” necessary for change management that may not be easily identified in the written documentation.
- Complements the written documentation and provides a snapshot of the processes.
This documentation will serve as both a training tool and “living document” to identify process challenges for improvement. More importantly, it can be used to facilitate senior management team meetings and how to resolve challenges.
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Transitional Accounting Services acknowledges that this blog is for information only. These best practice recommendations should be implemented from a practical standpoint which requires an understanding of your organization. Let us know if we may be of further assistance.