A process improvement template helps you streamline workflows by identifying inefficiencies and implementing actionable changes.
A process improvement template helps you streamline workflows by identifying inefficiencies and implementing actionable changes.
Our process improvement template guides you through identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in your workflows. It guides you through mapping your current processes, analyzing bottlenecks, setting improvement goals, and creating a practical action plan.
According to Bain & Company, 60% of organizations say too much complexity is driving up costs and slowing down their growth. This template helps you combat complexity by breaking down the improvement process into manageable steps.
Start with processes that cause the most pain—those with frequent bottlenecks, customer complaints, or high error rates. Look for workflows where small improvements could yield significant benefits. Consider processes that impact revenue, customer satisfaction, or employee productivity directly. The best candidates are often those where team members regularly express frustration.
Collect actual process data rather than relying on assumptions. Interview people who perform the work daily, observe the process in action, and gather relevant metrics like cycle times and error rates. Document the real process (not the ideal one), including exceptions, workarounds, and informal steps that may not appear in official documentation.
Create enough detail to identify inefficiencies without becoming overwhelmed. Start with 5-10 high-level steps, then break down problematic areas into sub-steps. Include decision points, handoffs between departments, and waiting periods. The right level of detail shows where bottlenecks occur while keeping the map readable and actionable for your improvement efforts.
Effective improvement goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Instead of “reduce processing time,” specify “reduce order processing time from 48 to 24 hours by September 30th.” Connect goals to business outcomes like cost reduction or customer satisfaction. Set ambitious but realistic targets based on data from your bottleneck analysis.