You want to improve things in your work and your life, but it can be hard to know where to start and where to direct your efforts. Sometimes a simple phrase can get you going or keep you focused. When looking for process improvement, to automate routine tasks or integrate disparate processes, I propose using these three words: simplify, integrate, automate. 

Simplify

“Why does it have to be so complicated?!?” My wife is always asking me that. And she’s right! Before you jump into process improvement efforts, make things simple.

I’ve seen complex processes that made sense for the few folks that designed it, but was too confusing for anyone outside their department. The result? They couldn’t work with other departments or systems. Disparate and disconnected systems result in lost opportunities for data sharing, reporting, and other efficiencies. 

It is true in our lives, as well. Take a real-world example… your morning commute.

Before you get out the door in the morning, you have to get yourself ready, take care of the family, pack a lunch, and put the dog out. Let’s say you just haven’t been able to get a routine established and so every morning is a series of just-in-time events with mixed results. If your neighbor asks to carpool with you (integration), it isn’t going to go well. He’s not going to know when to show up to catch a ride! 

Until you simplify your morning routine and can execute it consistently and reliably, you can’t carpool. You must simplify before trying to integrate.

Three Words For Process Improvement: Integrate, Automate, Simplify

Integrate

When your processes are working simply and reliably you can easily work with other groups and other systems. You can integrate and combine processes to realize many benefits. 

For instance, if your morning routine gets more predictable so you’re getting out the door at the same time each day, you can carpool. When you carpool with your neighbor, you realize benefits like helping the environment, saving money, and building a new friendship. 

Business processes and systems work the same way. Take HR and accounting. These two departments need to be working together as smoothly as possible. If things are integrated, employees get better service, the business has less expenses, and people working in the departments have an easier, more pleasant job. Integration is great as long as the processes are simplified first. 

Automate

There are many benefits to automation including more reliable outcomes, less labor costs, faster response, and more. Now that you have your processes simplified and working together, you’re ready to automate them, right? 

Maybe. Don’t rush to automate.

Sometimes running through a manual process for a while can be beneficial. It allows you to see how things are working, where further improvements can be made, and what edge cases you might not have anticipated. A manual process can also promote building healthy working relationships between people that are now interacting because of the integrated process. Just don’t let it run indefinitely. Set a checkpoint, review progress, and make plans to automate it.

Always Start with Simplify

It isn’t always easy to figure out how to improve things at work, at home, or in relationships. But, you can never go wrong by starting with simplify. When you simplify, it is easier to see what’s important. In a time of so many distractions, understanding and acting on what is important in life is the most valuable thing you can do. 

*Originally published on LinkedIn January 27, 2020