subject: Agile Business Process Management [print this page] ere are some fundamental ras that ned t b ntegrated into an businss t go frm haos t rder.
1. Gals and Values
Undertanding wht you wnt from yur business and wh ou want it, is a primry aspect t building lid foundatons. Is it discretinary time? Surplus mon? o have a self-managed buines?
hen, decide why you want the things (this indicats ur higher vales)? Having ths as a fcal point helps persistence in the change proce.
2. Process Maping
Undrstand the ttal busness process from initil ustmr cntat to thr resulting pyment. This is bst dne in usng a bsiness prcess map. rocess ma can also be done for singlr res that re in chos, for examle, the recrutment process.
3. Cash Flow Forecating
etting up a ry ba cash flow tool for forecsting is another foundational element that sist in roviding increased fnncil cntrl. It is lso a brilliant bsiness planning tol, enablng forecasting in conunction to key goals.
4. Rording Key Reslts
aing an one pag doument for recording key business reults eg. financil perfrmance, personnel productivity, error and defect rates, marketing/les numbers and rats tc is essential to th foundatons of any business. hs allows you to make real time decisins rather thn 12-18 months in arrears when most owners meet with their accountant.
5. Time mnagement
ne of the ndictions of reacte management and general chaos is the low level of skill exhbted in th area of the management of time and lnning. ere are a few t that will work immedatly f implemented:
a. Plan tmorrow at the end f today
b. Use a diary
c. Use blocking and batching techniques
i. Blckng - blk time out for key tasks nd foundational activities eg. Budgets, edation, planning etc.
ii. Bathing - batch all similar tasks together eg. f administratin has been blcked ut from 1pm - 3pm thn that is when mal i opened, mails chcked, phne all returned etc.
6. Peopl
aving clear pstion descriptions with corresonding role together with reponsibility and performance masures i essential fr a focusd workfore. This, in combination with ongoing accuntabilty, rase, critqu and relasing yor people t work in the areas of their strengths nd passin is a vital foundation.
7. Do today what effets tmorrow
I've always found tht establihing 90 day goals, then breaking them down into key daily taks and diarising thir omleton (blockng) is the fastet way t progress in building great busines fondations. As you'll be awre, I hven't covered everything but when it comes to freeng a busines of its bttlencks and getting back a sense f order and control, focusing n these ares will give sgnificant gains tht you wll begin to se almost immediately
