Process Improvement

What is process improvement?

Process improvement is the steps taken by an organization to identify processes that could be improved, design innovative cost and time-saving new ways that will ensure the same - if not better - results, and then put those new processes into place.

Without process improvement, your organization risks using outdated processes that could be wasting time and budget. New processes may even help to improve the quality of your products and services, helping to increase customer satisfaction.

Depending on your industry, it’s also possible that process improvement is imperative to ensure your organization remains compliant with regulatory requirements. Industry standards and guidelines frequently change, and without process improvement, your organization may work to outdated practices and risk fines and even legal action.

Process improvement is something that requires engagement and commitment from your entire workforce. From management and the leadership team who will devise improvements, to their team members who will ensure the new processes are implemented successfully. A commitment to finding new and innovative ways to develop will instill a culture of continuous improvement throughout your organization to ensure you don’t risk falling behind your competitors or industry regulations.

Why is process improvement important?

We’ve already highlighted that process improvement helps to create new and innovative ways for your organization to work, which can ensure your business remains compliant with industry standards and regulations. However, there’s much more to it.

• Improving processes improves efficiency, which in turn improves productivity - this can also lower costs and increase profitability.
• As new processes and technologies are implemented it can increase the quality of your output.
• By improving processes it demonstrates your business’s agility and adaptability, and ensures you can pivot to meet changing customer demands.

While process improvement is important, it can appear daunting, which is why many businesses don’t consider it a valuable use of resources. A process improvement plan requires commitment from your entire workforce, but it’s something you should undoubtedly consider to ensure you remain competitive and consistently offer a quality service.

One of the most effective ways of introducing a culture of continuous improvement is by providing your employees with process improvement training courses. For more information check out our blog post on understanding the importance of continuous improvement and being lean.

Training your employees in process improvement

Training is the first step toward implementing process improvement across your organization. Having the drive and commitment to undertake process improvement is one thing, but actually implementing it is another. It’s much more than seeing something and tweaking it to make it better, it’s about collecting, organizing, and analyzing data - and that’s before the actual improvement process itself begins.

Offering training to your employees is one of the first steps you can take, and has advantages for both your organization and your employees.

What are the advantages to your business?

The advantages of process improvement to your organization include:

• Increased efficiency
• Less downtime
• Saved time
• Higher output quality
• Saved costs
• The ability to adapt to client demands
• A slicker customer experience
• Compliance with industry regulations

Each of these advantages contributes towards the continued success and growth of your organization, allowing you not to fall behind your competitors.

What are the advantages to your employees?

As well as benefiting your business, process improvement training has a number of advantages for your employees.

• Improved skills and knowledge
• Better collaboration
• Better communication
• Reduced stress
• Improved confidence
• Increased safety in the workplace
• More opportunities to progress within your organization
• Improved morale

Each of these helps employees have a greater feeling of job satisfaction, which can lower absenteeism and reduce turnover. In turn, this is also another benefit for your business by saving further costs and preventing the need for expensive and time-consuming recruitment.

Can you learn about process improvement online?

Yes, online process improvement courses are a great way for your employees to upskill. One of the goals of process improvement is to streamline the ways your employees work, so it can be difficult to find time to schedule training into already busy schedules. However, eLearning courses are great for micro-learning and are self-directed, meaning employees access training materials whenever they have the time. This way, training doesn’t need to interfere with their day-to-day responsibilities and doesn’t create unnecessary strain or pressure.

Training materials use a variety of teaching methods, which is perfect for training large teams who each learn via different learning styles, which increases engagement and retention.

Because eLearning courses have already been produced and can be accessed instantly, they’re cost-effective and can be scaled easily, so you can offer training to a single team or your entire organization without any hassle. This allows your organization to take the first steps toward process improvement.

What are some of the best eLearning courses for process improvement?

There are plenty of business process improvement training courses available that you can access right now and start your organization’s journey toward continuous improvement. Some of the best eLearning courses include:

• Lean Business Process Management Change Skills
• Process Mapping
• Implementing Continuous Improvement
• Cycle Of Continuous Improvement
• Introduction to Continuous Improvement
• Step change improvement using the PMI Improvement Cycle
• Continuous Improvement
• Drive Success with Continuous Improvement

Train your employees in process improvement today

Looking to improve the processes at your organization and provide your employees with the training they need? Go1 has a wide range of eLearning courses to upskill and develop your workforce. For more information on how Go1 can support your learning and development strategy, book a demo today.