Process Improvement

Process improvement (also known as Business Process Reengineering) is about finding better ways to get work done. It helps you understand how work is currently done, identify opportunities to improve it, and apply a structured approach to turn those opportunities into meaningful, lasting changes. When applied with intention, Process Improvement can:

• Make the most of resources. Use time, tools, and people more effectively.
• Simplify workflows. Reduce unnecessary steps so work can flow more smoothly.
• Strengthen outcomes. Improve the quality and reliability of services and programs.
• Support collaboration. Help teams communicate and work together more effectively.
• Encourage innovation. Create space for new ideas and creative solutions.
• Build resilience. Support organizations in adapting and improving over time.

As a best practice, departments should document their processes.  However, even if some workflows are not fully captured, you can still move forward with improvement efforts. Every successful improvement follows a clear path.  Whether you are improving your own workflow, helping your team work better, or leading a larger initiative, these five phases offer practical tools to identify problems, find solutions, and build more effective ways of working.

Phase 1: Define – Determine How to Make Work Better
Phase 2: Measure – Understand How Things Work Today
Phase 3: Analyze – Investigate Data to Find the Root Cause
Phase 4: Improve – Develop and Implement the Solution
Phase 5: Control – Build Controls to Support the Solution

• Improving processes is only part of the equation. Lasting success also depends on how you adapt to changes.  Visit our Organizational Change Management page to learn more.
• California Department of Technology (CDT) provides OD-related reference materials and tools that can be customized to meet your specific needs. Their services encompass a broad range of topics, including Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Organizational Change Management (OCM), Technology Consulting, and Project Management.   For more in-depth guidance, including one-on-one consulting, reach out directly to CDT by filling out their Contact Form.
• California Business Process Reengineering (CA-BPR) Framework | Project Resources – This is the homepage for the CA-BPR Framework developed by CDT’s Project Management Office. The CA-BPR is designed to assist organizations in optimizing their business processes to leverage and maximize the capabilities of technology. While the CA-BPR is written in the context of information technology (IT) implementation efforts, it is applicable to any type of project that requires an organization, its groups, and its people to change.