When it comes to business process flow and optimization, it can be challenging to determine how to align your tools and work processes. Should your process fit the tool, or should the tool fit your process? Your choice will have far-reaching implications both now and as you manage the needs of the enterprise in the future.<\/p>\n
While the answer depends on your company, its current and future needs, and strategic goals, understanding some key elements can help guide you through the decision process.<\/p>\n
What are work process, process fit and tool alignment, and why do they matter? We define work process as the method employees use to create value for a company. The tools, typically software based, are used in the work process to help the company grow sustainably. Process fit is when all process elements uniquely integrate with your company\u2019s strategies.<\/strong><\/p>\n All business functions should align with a company\u2019s priorities and help it realize its mission. This alignment fosters business growth, the ability to adapt, and streamlined processes that can save time and resources. Aligning your tools and process creates a business process<\/a> flow critical to your business\u2019s success. When aligned and optimized, the process and tools you use will ensure the right participants use the right tools to meet focused objectives.<\/p>\n Because work process, technology tools and software are so intertwined, it\u2019s important to connect process and tools to fit the organization. When answering the question of \u201cwhat process should I use,\u201d use the one that best serves your company\u2019s core values. We can say the same for tools: how do they fit your organizational goals?<\/p>\n In most cases, developers build tools based on deep research and understanding of best practices for the industry the software company serves.<\/strong> Often, adopting a tool and aligning your work processes to the tool leads to efficiencies for the organization. Most organizations, however, have processes with anomalies or that stray from what we consider standard. This means regardless of the tool, you cannot use it out of the box because it requires customization to meet business needs.<\/p>\n If you have no tools or processes in place, the choice is simple: Find the right tool for your business needs and drive your processes from what the tool can offer. As your organization matures, your processes and tools will evolve<\/a>. <\/strong>However, starting from scratch with tools and processes is a luxury most organizations do not have. You may be mired deep in your own processes and tools and cannot see the forest for the trees, as the old expression goes.<\/p>\n If this is the case, take a step back and work to:<\/p>\n These steps will help you determine whether you should align your tools to your processes or vice versa.<\/p>\n If you want to grow the business or even stay abreast of competitors, you have to be on board with changes to processes \u2013 whether it\u2019s to accommodate a new tool or modify the tool to meet business processes you can\u2019t change.<\/p>\n All staff within your organization need to accept that some things will need to change and that change doesn\u2019t have to be bad.<\/strong> Employees may fear process improvement will push them out of their role, so it\u2019s critical to maintain transparency and communication<\/a> during research and implementation of tools and process updates.<\/p>\n Help the management team in your organization move past tools and processes. Keep your focus on outcomes, business value and revenue potential. As an organizational leader, it will be your job to realign your processes and how your company uses software to get the most out of your team and the services they support.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that this is not \u201cone and done.\u201d Alignment and improvement are ongoing processes as the company and its needs evolve. Set small, reasonable goals and action steps to reach them, and then get to work creating lasting change that benefits everyone in your organization.<\/p>\nChoosing Between Process or Tool Alignment<\/h2>\n
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Keep an Open Mind When It Comes to Change<\/h2>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n