Goals of process optimization

Excursus: Nudge management, a method with a focus on the human factor in business processes

Nudge management, or nudging, is a term that has not yet really caught on at many management levels. However, it holds potential for improving various processes, which is why it is worth taking a look at this modern approach.

The method explores the question of how improvements can be implemented with a focus on people. Specifically: How can the behavior or attitudes of teams be changed in such a way that this leads to improvements? For example, to ensure that a corporate strategy is implemented more quickly, that employee motivation increases or that certain changes are well received.

The term “nudge”, which can be appropriately translated as a nudge, a little push, explains what the approach proposes: People just need a suitable motivation for a desired behavior, occasionally in the form of a little nudge in the right direction. The emphasis here is on simple: small levers have a big effect. For example, a cleverly placed, beautifully draped salad dish in the canteen can entice people to eat more healthily. With relatively little effort, you can achieve comparatively high goals in this way.

There are also examples of how nudging can bring about noticeable changes with little effort in a company’s change management – i.e. also in process optimization. For example, it is very helpful to simplify learning processes or to provide work instructions in a low-threshold manner so that an improvement in business processes is quickly and readily accepted – despite any reluctance to try something new or to make changes and short-term increased learning effort.

Process optimization goals – why does my company need this?

The goal of process optimization depends somewhat on the area of production in which you start. As the details of all business processes and all work can be improved, the path to an optimized process varies greatly in practice. And the goals to be achieved also vary depending on the institution and company.

However, there are a number of fundamental goals that can be achieved with the optimized processes, because ultimately all improvements are aimed at greater efficiency and effectiveness, and therefore also at making all processes more cost-effective.

These basics are in demand across all sectors:

• Increased productivity
• Lower costs
• Improved quality of product or service
• Greater adaptability in the event of necessary changes
• Increased competitiveness through better quality and more satisfied customers
• Optimized utilization of machines and systems
• Higher security
• Improved communication and knowledge transfer

Depending on the area to be optimized, different methods and tools can help. Let’s take a closer look at a few important goals.

Improved communication

We live in an age of ubiquitous communication and information. In the world of work, however, the benefits of readily available technologies have not yet gained a foothold everywhere, even though they can save time, money and effort in many ways.

For example, new software or information technologies in general are helpful in improving team communication. Internal communication programs distribute important information more quickly and bring clarity to a communicative chaos of emails, phone calls, various tools or even handwritten messages.

Modern tools can also be enriched with images, diagrams, videos, 3D representations and not only convey everything the team needs to know quickly, but also in an easily understandable and comprehensive way.

The tepcon instructor can also be a digital knowledge mediator that you can use to create digital work instructions, conduct analyses and document services or even provide maintenance instructions to the team.

Increase productivity

Time is money, the old saying is still valid today. Increased productivity is a goal that every company certainly has in mind. Process optimization offers a wealth of organizational and technical approaches to achieve this. In the production process, for example, these include the automation of procedures that save time and personnel – for example, by robots taking over individual work steps or entire processes.

Organizationally, work processes, for example in the areas of service and maintenance, can be designed more efficiently and shortened. There is digital support for this in the form of work instructions that are immediately available to anyone carrying out maintenance.

If, for example, a machine needs to be serviced, the assigned person downloads the necessary instructions to their tablet or cell phone with a click. And can get to work immediately, without any further assistance.

Process optimization methods, from classic to agile

Depending on the goal of process optimization, there are a whole range of options that you can use to improve processes in your company.

We first distinguish between traditional methods of process improvement – such as Six Sigma or lean management – and agile methods that attempt to optimize processes independently of the hierarchy. These include methods such as open space or retrospectives.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a common method for reducing error rates (internal LINK to the text Reducing error rates, which is not yet online) in production processes, for example. The aim is to make production processes more efficient in the long term. The method is a continuous process analysis, i.e. it constantly checks whether existing processes can be further optimized.

Lean management

Lean management focuses on the reduction of waste. The name of the method can be appropriately translated as “lean management”, as the method was originally developed for use in corporate management. Today, lean management involves all stages of production. The entire value chain is analyzed and areas where waste occurs are identified. Then, within the framework of demand-oriented production, opportunities for improvement are continuously developed so that all processes run as smoothly as possible – thus avoiding wasting time and money.

The approach is based on a culture of continuous development and improvement. Well-known methods from lean management include Poka Yoke to prevent errors and the 5S method, which was developed to promote order and efficiency in the workplace in five steps.

However, continuous development also requires a constant overview of processes and making it easy for employees to participate in the improvement process by providing feedback, which requires digital tools that, in contrast to classic Office solutions based on Word or PowerPoint, enter into dialog with employees to record and analyze their feedback and working methods in order to initiate improvements.

FMEA

The FMEA method also takes an analytical approach: It focuses on uncovering possible errors and attempts to identify and prevent as many errors as possible from the outset. A list of possible errors, error types and measures to avoid them is the basis of this method.

First steps

Process optimization begins with the big picture, a process analysis and definition of the processes. In order to initiate the improvement of processes, it must first be clear which processes exist, which have priority and where there is potential for improvement in these processes.

Select methods for process optimization

Step two would then be to search for suitable process optimization methods that best suit the planned improvements. There will certainly be several suitable variants with which you can implement the necessary process optimizations within your company. You should therefore look at as many methods as possible and compare the approaches and procedures with your own way of working: does the chosen model fit your business processes, your values and the way your company works? We call this phase redesign – this is where new approaches are formed in order to identify business processes and production workflows that are in need of improvement.

Then comes the implementation: you apply the process optimization methods derived from the analysis and redesign in the day-to-day operations of your organization or company.

Selection, analysis, optimization – and everything from the beginning

Combine different methods and continue the triad of analysis – selection – optimization. Even after the first step, the improvement of currently untapped potential, further opportunities will arise in the future. This is why process analysis is an ongoing task that will accompany your quality management. Because after implementation is before implementation: continued evaluation will always reveal processes in your company that are not yet running optimally.

Support with process optimization

Process optimization itself is a process in its own right, and it is ongoing. Every company works with a whole host of different processes that can be adapted again and again depending on external and internal requirements. As there are many methods for process optimization, it makes sense to start by comparing various methods for optimizing processes. Some people lose sight of the big picture – but that’s not necessary.

Products and offers for process optimization

Even if the costs can be off-putting at first: Many companies seek external support for process optimization. Whether in parts or as a comprehensive consulting package depends on their own needs and the size of the project. Such professional help is often useful for avoiding mistakes and for an efficient approach to process optimization itself.

Software as a helper for process management

There are many examples of process optimization software, and our application is one of the best. If you want to reduce errors in certain processes, if you need to distribute information quickly and in several languages, if a certain procedure needs to be explained to new employees more frequently: There is a suitable software for this, including the necessary consulting for the introduction of this tool.

Practical example: tepcon provides the tool for work instructions, worldwide

You have a roadmap for process improvement in your company or are at least already taking the first steps – wonderful. It is not always easy to find the right one for your own requirements among the many different options. An example of process improvement clearly explains how you can contribute to improving certain processes in your company in practice.

Work instructions via software

As specialists in digital support, we have many satisfied customers who have been able to improve the efficiency of processes with our help. Specifically, this involves the creation of work instructions that are needed again and again but may not be available to everyone at all times. We help out with digital work instructions that can be called up directly on site.

Service and regular maintenance are a matter of course in modern machinery. This work is carried out either by external contractors or by our own employees.

If all the necessary steps are recorded and documented digitally, this can lead to a significant reduction in the working time that staff have to spend on such services. We have selected a user example from our portfolio.