All businesses want to have the best possible business operations in order to maximise their success. Sometimes, though, businesses may observe problems with certain business process. Many business processes can be improved with the help of IT support. For example, TechQuarters, a London IT support partner, regularly helps their customers overcome challenges relating to inefficient business operations. They do this by implementing a simple step-by-step process to improve business operations.
- Defining
The first step in improving your business operations is to define what exactly the problem is. Some areas of your business may well be running efficiently and to your liking, whereas in other areas you have noticed specific problems. For example, the problem might be that teams are finding it difficult to locate and access files and other data they require for problems; or perhaps since the onset of COVID-19, reports have come in regarding difficulties communicating and collaborating. It will be difficult to progress without defining what you want to improve.
- Analyzing
Once you have defined the problem, you need to analyze what is causing it to be a problem. Start by breaking the process down into its constituent parts – this will make it easier for you to see how and why it is resulting in business inefficiency. With the example of file management, and teams not being able to locate files, you might start by questioning where files are stored? Is there a policy for file storage and file naming practices? When break the process down and start asking the right question, you’ll see what needs to be changed.
- Redesigning
Now you know what the problem is and you have analyzed the existing process, you can now go about redesigning it. With the help of your managed IT support services, you can ascertain what tools you need – for instance, you may require a dedicated file management software like SharePoint. You may also need to design user policies for data storage and sharing practices.
- Implementing
You have your design to improve the business process, now you just need to implement it – easy, right? Implementation still needs plenty of planning and organization in order for it to be achieved quickly and without any hitches. For instance, implementing the new file management solution was achieved with the expert help of your IT support partner, but to ensure that everyone in the business would not experience the same problems, you implemented several training sessions with the company, teaching users how to use the new solution, introducing file naming practices, etc.
- Monitoring
The new file management solution has been rolled out, and everyone has been trained on how to use it. Now, the all important monitoring step takes place, which can be a long step, as your business may need to monitor people’s usage of the new business process for several months – this might involve observing adoption of the solution, noting any problems or difficulties users report. All of this will go towards measuring the success of the new business operation, and inform whether the 5 step process needs to be repeated or revisited.