Is the task consistent?
Identify which steps follow clear rules and which require judgement. Decide what the system should do when information is missing or the situation is unusual.
Business improvement guide
Is this process ready for automation?
A repetitive task can be a useful place to start, but repetition alone does not make a business case. Look at the whole process, the information it uses and the people who rely on it.
Book a free introductionDescribe the work as it happens today.
Choose a process with a clear beginning and end. Speak with the people doing it and record the steps, systems, decisions and exceptions. Check how often it runs and how long people spend on it.
Look for the cause of the effort. A confusing form, unclear responsibility or missing information may be creating work that can be removed before any automation is built.
Questions worth answering
Is the information reliable?
Check access, ownership, accuracy and sensitivity. Data preparation may be a necessary part of the project, with its own scope and cost.
What happens if it is wrong?
Assess the effect on customers, records and decisions. Agree approval steps, a way to stop the workflow and a process for correcting errors.
Count the full cost and the realistic benefit.
Estimate the time that could be released, then allow for review and exception handling. Released time may create capacity rather than a direct cash saving. Keep those benefits distinct in the business case.
Include setup, subscriptions, integration, data preparation, training and ongoing support. Consider how the work will be maintained when a system, policy or person changes.
Test a useful first step
Set the baseline
Measure the current process using a representative period. Choose a result linked to the business goal, such as turnaround time, rework or administrative effort.
Agree the test
Define the scope, expected standard and review period. Include common exceptions and the conditions under which the test should stop.
Review with the team
Check the output, the effort required to manage it and whether people use it. Use those findings to decide whether to improve, extend or stop the workflow.
Plan the next step in context.
A small first delivery works best when it fits a wider understanding of the business. Document the dependencies so that the next improvement builds on what is already in place.
DoubleKlick combines process mapping with implementation and support. We can help you assess the opportunity and make a practical decision about where to start.
Start with a conversation
Let's talk through your business.
Book a free 30-minute call. We'll talk through what's getting in the way, where we can help, and how we can work together to move things forward.