โ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ญ โ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น (๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฐ) ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ
The first step is awareness. When we hear of the same issues happening over and over again, we probably have an โinvisible processโ that is a Level 1 โinitialโ (chaotic) process. These Level 1 processes are the โchaosโ in our organization that drives incredible inefficiency, complexity, and costs. Getting to Level 2 is as simple as having someone repeat the process in a way that creates consistent results. We can do this by shadowing the person, getting taken through the process, and making someone accountable for consistently doing the process.
โ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฎ โ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒโ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฏ โ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑโ
This defacto step should be taken with all semi-important critical processes across the organization. The person โresponsibleโ for a particular process should define the process, goals, owners, inputs, and outputs and document all the steps using a standard operating procedure (SOP) template. Then, a person with the skills to perform the process but lacks the knowledge of it should do the process using the SOP to see if they can get the same consistent results by following the process instructions. Well-run companies have a database filled with SOPs across the organization so anyone can understand and perform a process.
โ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฏ โ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑโ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฐ โ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑโ
This is typically the most significant step of maturity, given that it abstracts a process to the input, output, efficiency, and effectiveness metrics so that you quantitatively understand the process. This step typically necessitates a system to enable automated workflow and the ability to extract data and information on the process. Furthermore, this step involves reporting on and management of the process.
โ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฐ โ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑโ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฑ โ ๐ข๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑโ
This step necessitates continuous improvement through feedback loops and analytics to diagnose and address opportunities. This is the realm of robust business intelligence and statistical tools. Process engineers may be assigned to drive continuous improvement programs for larger companies and processes, fine-tuning a process to wring out all the efficiencies.
Regardless of your organization or the nature of your work, understanding and working through process maturity levels will help you quickly improve your organization.