Workflow

What is Workflow?

A workflow is the sequence of steps through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion. It involves the journey of tasks, processes, and approvals in achieving specific organizational goals. 

Why are workflows important?

Workflows serve as a roadmap that help guide employees through tasks and projects. A typical workflow lets employees know which tasks they are responsible for and the steps they should take to complete them. This not only brings order to complex initiatives, but also ensures that each team member understands their role and responsibilities within the larger context. It can be applied across any role, function, or industry, and are useful for minimizing bottlenecks, reducing errors, and optimizing resource allocation. A well-designed workflow can be a great catalyst for boosting productivity and efficiency within any organization.

How can workflows be optimized for better productivity?

Consider the following strategies when developing or reviewing your workflows:

• Automate routine tasks: HR automation can streamline repetitive and time-consuming processes. There are many process automation tools out there, like Zapier and Jira, that can reduce manual intervention and free up time for employees to focus on other value-added tasks. It can facilitate several activities such as onboarding, payroll, tax filing, and internal communication.
• Gather employee feedback: Employees can offer unique insights into workflow challenges by identifying pain points, inefficiencies, and scenarios that may have been overlooked by management. Making adjustments this way helps make workflows more aligned and practical for all members, boosting their overall productivity. ‍
• Review and analyze regularly: As your business evolves, its important that workflows stay in sync. Regular reviews provide the opportunity to assess whether workflows are still aligned with the latest advancements and capable of supporting the organization’s growth. Inefficient workflows can result in added costs, so its important to keep track of indicators like completion times, error rates, and resource utilization to keep workflows optimized at all times.