Changing from one process to another

I have read and heard in many forums, posts, discussions, blogs… etc  that when an organization wants to adopt a new process to fit into the working culture, it doesn’t seem to come out the way expected or as the process says it results in. People wonder, tries to mend, work out the differences and ultimately in most cases what happens is it turns into some kind of mixed baloney. This causes frustration among employees, unsuccessful output, business loss etc. Very few find out the key that unlocks the problem and actually get it work. But then again why go through all of this only to understand that the new process may or may not meet your needs?

Before jumping into a new process that is the latest in the trend or that shows a good portfolio, every organization should first try to analyze their current process. Questions should be answered like: What are my current problems? How can I address each one with minimal cost and solve it to get the maximum output? etc. Once the problems are defined in a blank sheet of paper, they can be taken and thought individually to solve it. If the current process does not give the answers, then only another process can be thought of to implement.

But wait ! You cannot just declare right away that this new process ‘ABC’ looks good and seems to bring out good results; let’s try it ! It may just bring you more disaster. Before actually thinking of putting it on the floor, it is very crucial to understand that what is ABC all about.

• What is it’s principle?
• On what ground does ABC base on?
• How did it evolve to become a new process and what result does it give?
• What type of size in organization is it suitable for?
• What are the roles in the process and what are the responsibilities for each?
• Can the existing resources fit in with the roles of the process?

There can be several more questions that can be asked to understand the process but it is just important to know how it works and then finally the big question can be answered: Does it meet my problems and needs and bring some percentage of output compared to the other processes?

If yes, go for it ! And then comes the harder part. To actually make the organizations’s resources adapt to it. Before adapting, it is important that the workforce understands the process enough to start making a change the right way and not mixed. To do this, workshops, hands-on experience of trial mode of practicing is necessary. It is not easy to adapt immediately but can happen within time if it is understood correctly in the beginning.