Workflow analysis is the process of analyzing an organization’s workflows to improve their efficiency.
This involves identifying areas of process improvement such as redundant tasks or processes, inefficient steps and bottlenecks in the workflow.
Workflow Analysis allows an organization to efficiently and effectively use its resources.
What is workflow analysis?
A workflow is a series of steps that are used to achieve an objective.
It can be represented graphically using a flow chart, rather than simply listing the steps in the workflow process.
The graphical representation of the workflow will allow you to easily analyze the business process and identify potential areas for improvement.
Once the workflow is analyzed and optimized, then it can be automated using a workflow management software such as PowerAutomate.
This software also allows you to track the workflow from the beginning to the end.
Why should you do workflow analysis?
Workflow analysis is an essential in process improvement which is used to help reduce operational costs, increase efficiency, improve employee retention and reduce errors.
Workflow Analysis can help identify manual repetitive tasks that are ideal candidates for automation because these tasks tend to be prone to errors, use up manpower and can be particularly costly for an organization.
Once these manual tasks are identified, documented and analyzed, they can be automated to help improve operational efficiency.
A common example of a manual task is document approval, if the user needs to send a document such as a leave application for approval via email, automating this process.
The process can be automated by creating a PowerApps form that the user can use to fill and submit a leave application.
Once the form is submitted, it would be routed to the right approver who would be automatically notified.
This automation would greatly improve the process by reducing errors, duplication of effort and freeing up the users to focus on more value important tasks.