Efficiency is the cornerstone of a successful company. Ensuring the success of a business depends on streamlined and efficient processes. Streamlining processes enables employees to perform their tasks efficiently. In addition, businesses find success in delivering more value to their customers. There are a number of methods that leaders can implement to increase productivity in the workplace. We will explore these methods in this article. What is Efficiency in Businesses? Today, businesses are living organisms, just like living things. They are constantly affected by factors such as employees, technology developing in the outside world, customer demands, etc. Therefore, these factors need to have a positive impact to ensure the success of the business. The best way to create the most important positive impact in businesses is productivity. Productivity refers to the capacity to obtain maximum benefit from the use of resources such as materials, capital, manpower and time. To achieve efficiency, businesses need to optimize business processes, improve quality and make the most of their employees’ talents. At the same time, efficiency ensures that the factors affecting the business come together effectively and dynamically in harmony. Businesses that achieve this can meet customer demands, increase the profitability and competitiveness of the business. How to Increase Efficiency in Business Processes? Some of the methods you can apply to increase efficiency in business processes are listed below: Apply Standard Work One of the key ways to improve work process efficiency is to implement a standardized work system. We can define standardized work as documenting best practices for each process or task and having operators follow these standards consistently. When defining procedures for a standardized work system, it is important to get input from employees. Because by understanding the current situation, they have the power to suggest much better ideas on how to create the best standards for business processes. Insist on Change Control Standardization in operational tasks is not a one-time preparation. The conditions and circumstances of the business world are constantly changing. That is why the execution of tasks cannot always go in the same direction. Processes need to be checked and updated on a regular basis. Only in this way can businesses increase their productivity levels. Businesses that want to regularly check and update processes can benefit from the PDCA Cycle technique. The technique is a widely used approach for companies that are just starting their process efficiency journey. Let’s examine this approach briefly: PDCA Cycle The PDCA Cycle is frequently used in quality improvement processes. For the technique, the steps of plan, do, check and act are applied. Plan is the first stage of the technique. Businesses create a detailed action plan by determining the process to be improved, the purpose of improvement, the objectives, the expected results and the resources needed. The second stage, implement, involves the implementation of the action plan created in the first step. Control is the third stage of the technique. Businesses analyze the data and results obtained during the implementation phase. Evaluates the results. It compares the results obtained with the expected results. In this way, businesses can identify the cause of any deviation, success or area for improvement. The last stage of the PDCA Cycle is to take measures. In this step, businesses adjust, correct or take appropriate steps to further improve the process in the light of the findings obtained in the control phase. Sometimes this step may involve improving the existing plan, making additional changes, or identifying and implementing a completely new plan. It should be noted that PDCA is, as the name suggests, based on a cycle. After the last stage, it is necessary to return to the first stage. Implementing continuous improvement in businesses can only be achieved in this way. Conduct Root Cause Analysis Root Cause Analysis, also known as the 5 Whys Technique, focuses on solving the current problem by repeatedly asking the question “why” to get to the root cause underlying a problem. The method uncovers the root causes of process failure or inefficiency. Therefore, in process improvement efforts, it is important not only to improve the visible parts of the problems, but also to address the root causes. Continuous Improvement for Long-Term Success Improving business process efficiency is an ongoing journey. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to implement continuous improvement steps for their long-term success. Today, with the development of technology, software has emerged to implement these steps. Continuous Improvement Solution is one of these software. Continuous Improvement Solution is a digital platform designed to facilitate the improvement processes of businesses. The platform has four different modules: Suggestion System, Kaizen, 5S Audit and Near-Miss Reporting. The Suggestion System Module enables collecting ideas and feedback from employees to identify areas for improvement. The Kaizen Module provides a digital platform that enables the lifecycle of improvement processes to be tracked in a systematic and measurable format. The Near Miss Module is an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) solution. It enables employees to report potential hazards quickly and easily without causing any accidents. 5S Audit Management Module is a digital tool that helps businesses plan, track and report on 5S control steps. It includes features for inspection, maintenance, cleaning and action planning.
