The age-old phrase “work smarter, not harder” can often come at an inconvenient time when we do not want to hear it, but it usually stands to be true. We find that most times, there is an easier way to accomplish any given task.
However, sometimes the obstacle in these tasks is applying a change to our current logic. The reality is that change tends to be more difficult when you don’t have a clear understanding of what needs to change or have the knowledge or skills to make it happen.
Oftentimes, organizations are reluctant to take a closer look at their overall processes, especially if no issues have surfaced. Change can be a serious hurdle for many organizations. However, these organizations may not appreciate the impact that an operational process review may have. A business process review could be the key to unlocking the full potential of any given department within an organization.
Overall, an operational process review allows for an objective, in-depth look at the big picture from the organizational level down to a specific functional level with the goal of increasing productivity with a more streamlined approach. It allows management to reevaluate business objectives, even to the extent of taking a closer look at the culture within the business. Sometimes, there are even triggering events that may create a more obvious need for a process review due to a key employee leaving, an occurrence of fraud, or even change in the day-to-day workplace function (such as the work-from-home protocol as a result of COVID). An operational review may help management to not just react to growth and change, but to deal with and address these issues.
While a process review helps to optimize the current state of an organization, it also sets the stage for more opportunities in a future state. Some of the most common issues that affect true realization can include:
Inefficient or underutilized use of software available
Increased manual processes leading to risk of error/fraud
Lack of proper training due to undocumented procedures/SOPs
General process inefficiency
Data integrity concerns
So how do we begin to tackle these issues?
The overall goal of a process review is to identify opportunities and increase value throughout the business to provide the appropriate recommendations to optimize business needs. Such recommendations can include:
Creating or updating policies and procedures
Conducting appropriate training
Implementing procedures to strengthen controls
Optimizing system functionality to align with business needs
Our team is always focused on efficiency and striving to make our clients’ lives easier on a day-to-day basis. We also work with our clients to develop risk mitigation strategies to prioritize planning and prepare for any potential risk. From problem-solving to continuous improvement, we are focused not only on the day-to-day processes but also on the future state.
You’ve heard our thoughts… We’d like to hear yours
The Schneider Downs Our Thoughts On blog exists to create a dialogue on issues that are important to organizations and individuals. While we enjoy sharing our ideas and insights, we’re especially interested in what you may have to say. If you have a question or a comment about this article – or any article from the Our Thoughts On blog – we hope you’ll share it with us. After all, a dialogue is an exchange of ideas, and we’d like to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].
Material discussed is meant for informational purposes only, and it is not to be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, this information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.
This site uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best user experience. Cookies assist in navigation, analyzing traffic and in our marketing efforts as described in our Privacy Policy.