Theories on workforce motivation and leadership styles are as varied as they are prolific. While some in management like to provide a loose, casual environment for their employees, others have found that tightening up policy has saved them an enormous amount of money and time. Workflow management systems are the new trend in business, and they have begun to catch on because they improve employee efficiency. By optimizing every process, a company can reduce waste and hit their bottom line with greater speed and improved accuracy.
Finding the Waste
Many employers have little to no idea how much waste they could eliminate from their company. This is not a terribly substantial problem in small businesses where everyone is pitching in to do their part. Nor is it a big problem in larger companies where employees feel like they’re all working toward the same goals. Unfortunately, most companies are not like this. Many in upper management are stunned when workflow management software identifies the numerous redundancies and delays inherent in their system.
In most larger companies, senior management is somewhat removed from the everyday operations of the business. The V.P. is probably more concerned with spreadsheets and stock prices than what’s going on down on the manufacturing floor. But what happens in Human Resources affects what happens on Wall Street. Finding bigger profits is often as much about reducing costs as it is about raising prices. Comprehensive workflow management software can help your company achieve those reductions.
Pinpoint Tracking
If you’re the kind of manager who is never quite sure why employee projects aren’t completed on time, this type of software can make things much clearer. By tracking tasks from the beginning until the end, workflow software provides a window into the process that managers usually aren’t privy to. By exploring the dynamics of that process, even a generally efficient company can identify redundant actions, bottlenecks, and areas where poor training has resulted in delays.
Employee Reports
Many employees regard workflow management software with a skeptical eye, fearing that there will be no room left for ingenuity or creativity. When the software is used appropriately, however, this need not be the case. What it will do, however, is provide a report for management so they can see how their employees are spending their time. If their work volume is not up to standards, it gives management something concrete to take to their employees. Few workers resent being given more to do as long as the instructions are clear and their salary is commensurate with the responsibility.
Bringing Clarity to Company Standards
One of the biggest problems many managers face is a lack of clear communication. When employees don’t have a clear idea of how to perform their tasks and managers don’t understand where the problem is, things don’t get done. By implementing a good workflow solution, these lapses in communication cease to be an issue. Employees have a clear guide when it comes to their tasks, and employers can easily check to see if the tasks are being done to their specifications.
Eliminating Time Theft
The best workflow management programs include security enhancements that can shore up time theft. From biometric time clocks to computer monitoring, management can eliminate the problem of employees intentionally stealing time. With direct evidence, management can take action to stop this theft without fear of litigation.