Three Steps for Identifying Workflow Bottlenecks | Century Business Technologies, Inc

The first step in fixing anything (your car, your back, your computer) is identifying what's broken. Your workflows are no different.

At Century Business Technologies, we work with our clients to provide solutions for workflows that are broken. To find out how and where your workflows are creating difficulties for your business, read our suggestions for a three-step process for identifying your company's unique pain points.

1. How Do Things Currently Stand?

A great place to begin is by identifying your current document workflows—both those that are working and those that could use some help. Your list may look something like this:

• Human Resources— New employee recruitment and onboarding, compensation and benefits, workplace safety, employee training, regulatory compliance, employee relations.
• Accounting Departments— Payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking, financial reporting and statements, financial controls, project management, budgeting.
• Contract Approvals— Contract and legal vetting, budget proposals, revising contracts, acquiring signing and approvals from various departments and individuals

2. Identifying Bottlenecks

After you've listed your existing workflows, it's time to identify inefficiencies. Anything that slows down progress should go on the list.

• Lost documentation
• Duplicate documentation
• Losing track of original versions
• Losing track of current versions
• Difficulties accessing documents
• Waiting for signatures

3. Including Your Teams

Evaluating your workflows from afar won't work. To achieve staff buy-in and a successful process, you'll want to include your employees. They know better than anyone what's involved in each step of your workflows, and they're all too familiar with the pain points, bottlenecks, and blockers that inhibit progress. Your team is also a valuable resource after implementation and can report progress (or lack thereof) back to you as changes are deployed.

Your workflows drive your business, and when they're inefficient, everyone suffers. For smart solutions to help your business succeed, contact us at Century Business Technologies today!