Have you ever wondered how top performing operations systems are built? Achieving optimum operational performance for your organization does not have to be difficult if your strategy contains key elements that set you up for success.

When done right, designing, implementing, and maintaining robust and efficient operations can help boost productivity and overall motivation. Here are five vital components you can incorporate into your operating model to overcome common roadblocks and remain relevant in today’s business climate.

‍

1. Decentralized decision-making that empowers your staff

Leadership and management styles that rely on strict, hierarchical top-down decision-making are limiting and are no longer effective. Delegating problem-solving responsibilities to your staff can bring positive effects on your operations.

Getting staff involved will make them feel engaged when their input is factored into decisions. This form of empowerment for staff, operating both in a remote working environment and face-to-face, can be a great motivator for your team as they feel and observe their value in the company.

This also allows for more creative and innovative problem-solving by consolidating your team’s abilities.

2. Embracing technology and automation for manual processes

Deciding to automate laborious manual processes could be the defining factor that elevates the productivity and efficiency of your operations.

With data collated on a digital platform, as opposed to physical documents, the latest information from your database is readily accessible in real-time. By digitizing repetitive tasks and manual processes, you allow your staff to engage in more rewarding, high-value work that helps enrich their experience at the workplace.

3. Prioritizing data visualization for performance and resource management

Once you get started with automation and digital collation of data, the next step is harmonizing that data using applications like Microsoft Power BI.

Data visualization through metric dashboards gives you visibility into the health of each department and the processes being undertaken. This allows you to prioritize opportunities for improvement throughout your organization in a way that was previously impossible through manual collation.

Data visualization will enable you to manage resources in line with demand volume and plan future optimisation.

4. Paying attention to what brings value to your customers

Through the power of data visualization, you now have visibility into customer-facing areas of your organization. This allows you to measure the performance of your service offerings to existing and potential clients.

With the collected data, you can identify weak points and bottlenecks within your operations that could be affecting customer satisfaction levels and focus on areas that require optimisation to improve customer experience.

5. Engaging operations experts to assist in building a robust operating model

Many Operations Directors can visualise the changes they require to optimise their operations to deliver the strategy. But, a number of organisations and leaders lack the technical capabilities to build and formulate an effective operating model internally.

This is where forward-thinking leaders have started to leverage the expertise of operations experts to guide them along the development and implementation phases.

Tapping into the wealth of experience from these experts allows you to optimise your operations and achieve your objectives faster by avoiding common pitfalls and mistakes.

‍

In addition to the five components mentioned above, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to operational success. These include having a clear and concise vision, setting realistic goals, creating a culture of continuous improvement, and investing in employee development. By focusing on these areas, you can create an organization that is well-positioned for success in the long term.

‍

Credits: Reinvigoration Consulting