Re-designing a process is a waste of time and money if that process isn’t used. A colleague asked me how to get processes to stick and deliver real benefits. Here’s how:

1) Assign a Process Owner
This works best if the process owner is the most senior manager possible for that type of process. A process owner is responsible for ensuring the process is designed and documented, and that people have been trained in its use. They are also responsible for reporting on the health of the process.

2) Collaborative Design
Design the process with the people who will be using the process – this unleashes the ‘motivation of the inventor’ – the people who invented the process will be highly motivated to use it. Plus, those who use the process typically have the best ideas on how to improve it.

3) Have a Process Framework
We need to create a home for the new process as it can’t exist in isolation. This is achieved by creating a framework that describes where this particular process fits into the big picture.

4) Visual Indicator
Set up a visual indicator that makes the health of the process visible for all to see. For example, create a Key Process Indicator and publish it daily or weekly on the production board, intranet, or lunchroom wall. Have a stand up meeting on a regular basis to check if the process can be improved.

5) Audit 
Finally, if you have an audit system in the business then add this new process to the audit schedule.  Use the audit to focus on areas for process improvement.

When leaders do these 5 things they are rewarded by improved processes that deliver real business outcomes, such as, a stronger reputation with clients, improved teamwork, and increased profits with less risk.