What are workflows and why do they work?
As you probably know by now, Beakon specialises in task management software and implementing workflows in businesses. We help you create a workflow that suits your business and allows work to move around with ease.
Our aims are always to give your business the flexible tools to allocate tasks and manage progress to keep projects on track. Over our time working in consultation with businesses, we have learnt a lot about how workflows can boost business and encourage growth, so we wanted to share why workflows are so valuable.
Discover more about workflows and why they work in this handy article…
What Is A Workflow?
A workflow simply refers to how work gets done within an organisation. It needn’t be a crazy process and can simply refer to the passing of work through the business to see the project from fruition to completion.
In essence, a workflow guides the work from point to point, ensuring that everyone who needs to be involved in the signing off and execution is on the same page. In the past, workflows would be paper based, however more recently they have become digital.
Why do workflows work?
Whatever business you run, or whatever you do for work, there will be a workflow in place. Whether it is running effectively is another story, but in order for a project to be completed there almost always needs to be a workflow.
Workflows work by passing tasks from one person to another, or one team to another to ensure that nothing is missed along the way. Workflows can remind us to complete tasks, minimise room for error and help managers make quick decisions and allocations.
Workflows work because they help you to streamline tasks and get a top level view of your business. When workflows are completed, everyone is on the same page with how the task will be completed and this increases transparency.
How Can We Create Better Workflows In Business?
- Analyse What You Have
One of the first steps we need to consider when we look at workflows in business is how the current workflow is performing. We need to consider how many steps there are, where there are any blocks and what is and isn’t working with the workflow system.
- Prioritise Your Work
Creating a better workflow means allocating tasks and deadlines based on how much of a priority they are. Figuring out which tasks are more important will help you create tasks and set due dates.
- Minimise The Paperwork
The best way to keep everyone on track and on schedule is to minimise the amount of paperwork we have. By using cloud-based storage we can make files accessible to anyone, no matter where they are and make the signing off and passing on of work easier.
- Allocate Tasks ASAP
Allocating and actioning tasks as soon as decisions are made is the best way to keep things moving within a workflow. Create tasks, assign tasks, set due dates, and task requirements or instructions before you’ve left the meeting room.
- Use Software That Helps You
Having the flexible task management software that helps you manage tasks effectively can be a game changer for your business. Get in touch to learn more about how workflows can work for your business.
