Internal projects usually have a champion who is passionate about his or her purpose. Champions are super-charged and committed to their vision. They want to beat down doors and make sure things get done. When a project’s success is dependent upon user adoption, however, it is best not to scare everyone off with the unbridled enthusiasm that champions express.
Workflow is just such a project. While the goal is for business process improvement (BPI), that can only happen if employees buy in, get engaged and feel like they will have a role in the outcome (success) of the project. Doing that requires a judicious approach; demanding adherence or ‘promising the stars’ are strategies that typically fall far short of the goal: getting users on board. To facilitate workflow software adoption, it is important to have a project leader who is collaborative, innovative, and focused. (Think Winston Churchill, not the Great Santini.)
The customers we work with cite a variety of ways that Process Director engages their employees—and there are certain elements that they have in common. These have a lot to do with recognizing their roles in contributing to business goals, while also eliminating many of the more frustrating parts of their jobs. Interestingly these are also the things that contribute to organizational change, which ultimately lead to better business outcomes.
We encourage you to consider how workflow tools can truly empower your organization and elevate the ability of staff to be critical players in business success:
Collaboration: No one wants to operate in isolation and, given the technology available to today’s enterprise, they should not have to. That said, too few companies truly provide ways for employees to contribute their skills and capabilities. Workflow, however, is based on the concepts of participation and collaboration. In fact, it does not work well unless the right players are involved. When more people can access information, are part of the decision-making, and facilitate actions performed by the right people, the organization has a greater chance of meeting its goals. Good leaders recognize that workflow offers both a microscope and a magnifying glass— and can be used in different ways. It’s not about “more, more, more” in terms of productivity, but “more, more, more” in terms of inclusiveness.
Analysis: Workflow software is implemented to provide long-term value to organizations that want to deliver results quickly; they also expect workflow to provide a better understanding of their business. A workflow solution like Process Director generates insights as to what is happening in the business and where improvements can be made. Beyond just capturing what is going on, Process Director can offer an analysis of multiple actions — and even anticipate future activity with it's business process automation software technology. The truly critical issues and process can, through insight and analysis, be changed — and, most importantly, improved. And while a weekly Excel report can document specifics, it does not encourage staff to seek solutions. On the other hand, Process Director empowers users to hone their own analytical skills with the insights provided by Process Director. When combined, they give an organization the ability to change and improve in ways that are meaningful— to them, their customers, and the bottom line.
Engagement: Process Director does not require coding skills to change or create a process. By knowing and understanding what is important to the team, changes can be made that will impact company performance. Two important outcomes result: 1) A potential for better processes and company operations, and 2) A sense of ownership among employees. What’s more, when employees know they can contribute, a general feeling of corporate esprit de corps begins to permeate the organization. This becomes an invaluable asset for any organization, and one that begins to build upon itself.
BPM software and workflow software are business tools. Using them effectively starts with setting appropriate expectations and charting a course for long term implementation that includes people who understand how they can benefit — and contribute.