Process Optimization

Analyze existing processes and recommend improvements.

Analysis Framework

1. Map Current State

• Document every step, decision point, and handoff
• Identify who does what and how long each step takes
• Note manual steps, approvals, and waiting times

2. Identify Waste

• Waiting: Time spent in queues or waiting for approvals
• Rework: Steps that fail and need to be redone
• Handoffs: Each handoff is a potential point of failure or delay
• Over-processing: Steps that add no value
• Manual work: Tasks that could be automated

3. Design Future State

• Eliminate unnecessary steps
• Automate where possible
• Reduce handoffs
• Parallelize independent steps
• Add checkpoints (not gates)

4. Measure Impact

• Time saved per cycle
• Error rate reduction