3 Ways to Get Better Employee Involvement in Operational Process Improvement

Employees at the front line of operations are the unsung heroes in the quest for operational excellence. Their day-to-day experiences and keen observations are invaluable, offering a wellspring of insights that can lead to profound operational process improvement. Consider the possibilities when these insights are harnessed: processes become more efficient, workflows are streamlined, and the entire operation moves closer to its peak potential.

Successful Operational Process Improvement Requires Employee Involvement

Frontline employees interact daily with business operations, positioning them to spot inefficiencies, challenges, and opportunities for enhancement. Their insights can pinpoint processes that are outdated or redundant. Since those in management aren’t likely the ones following these processes in their daily tasks, without intentionally scheduling internal audits, they aren’t likely to notice when a process is no longer applicable or appropriate. With insights from daily users, outdated processes can be revised to comport with current needs.

Frontline employees can also highlight areas that have potential for streamlining or automation, significantly adding to operational process improvement by eliminating superfluous steps or unnecessary user involvement. Drawing from their experiences and real-world interactions, frontline employees can offer solutions based on reality – solutions that work instead of theoretical solutions that tend to work only in simulations.

With frontline employees offering such a valuable trove of experience and insights, businesses would be foolish not to tap into these valuable resources. Failing to involve these employees in process improvement can result in continuing with methods that may no longer be efficient and missing out on innovative ideas that can drive growth.

Methods that Engage Employees Effectively

Some methods that have been proven to engage employees effectively include encouraging open communication channels, investing in comprehensive training for process improvement, and cultivating a culture of continuous operational process improvement.

Champion Transparent and Open Communication Channels

Open communication doesn’t occur in a vacuum; the foundation must be laid by leadership with the proper structure in place to foster a feedback loop that leads to real growth. Both bottom-up (from employees to management) and top-down (from management to employees) feedback mechanisms should be in place to create an environment where feedback is encouraged and valued. This is vital for companies who desire employee involvement in operational process improvement.

With today’s technology, there are numerous tools and a plethora of platforms for promoting and cultivating communication. For larger discussions, there’s regular town hall meetings. These can be quite impactful due to the environment and setting. The downsides, however, are that introverted employees aren’t likely to participate in these and town halls tend to be held infrequently due to logistics. Digital forums or platforms, on the other hand, tend to garner more involvement from introverts and they can be a great avenue for continuous feedback, especially if they are established in such a way that employees have unlimited access. Managerial open-door policies are an option for more immediate or personal concerns.

Actively seeking and then acting upon feedback can not only lead to quicker identification and resolution of operational issues, but also foster a culture where employees feel their insights are valued.

Invest in Comprehensive Training for Process Improvement

Targeted training programs build confidence in employees, empowering them to understand, identify, and effectively make suggestions for operational process improvement. These courses could cover current best practices, innovative tools, or emerging trends.

There is a range of different training mediums from E-courses to seminars to regular workshops. E-courses are optimal for flexibility and scalability, since they aren’t bound by time frame, location, or room capacity. In-person seminars are ideal for allowing employees to hear from subject matter experts, doing deeper dives and participating in breakout groups for further discussion. Regular workshops can further develop product knowledge, sharpen skills, and keep workers up to date on the latest developments.

Periodically evaluating training efficacy both ensures that the chosen content remains relevant and analyzes whether employees can practically apply what they’ve learned to real-world scenarios.

Cultivate a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Make continuous improvement an organizational mantra, embedded in the company’s culture. This mindset ensures that the business is always evolving, adapting, and enhancing its operations. Some key activities to embed this culture include spotlighting and rewarding employees, celebrating success in improvement, and including process improvement as a component in employee evaluations.

“What gets measured gets done, what gets measured and fed back gets done well, what gets rewarded gets repeated.” – John E. Jones.

Regularly spotlight and reward employees who drive improvements. Celebrating employees’ achievements, especially in team meetings in front of their peers, makes them feel special, develops a desire to continue to find ways to improve, and stimulates others to do the same. What gets rewarded gets repeated. Share success stories, case studies, or “wins” in internal communications. It’s easy to harp on failures and highlight mistakes, but when leadership creates a culture that celebrates the positives as well as the negatives, employees tend to strive for excellence. Make continuous operational process improvement a component in performance evaluations and reviews. That which is measured with feedback gets done well. When promotions and pay raises are contingent upon continuous improvement, employees are incentivized.

Leadership plays a critical role in cultivating an atmosphere of continuous improvement. Leading by example is vital. Management should be visibly involved in improvement initiatives, reinforcing its importance to the organization.

Improving Processes and Policies

Operational process improvement is a marathon, not a sprint; it is a journey that requires regular refining and, in the end, leads to business efficiency and growth. By prioritizing employee involvement through open communication, comprehensive training, and a culture of continuous improvement, businesses can achieve more streamlined and effective operations.

Improving processes goes hand in hand with improving policies, ensuring that businesses remain agile and adaptable to changing landscapes. With the right strategies, including open communication and continuous training, paired with cutting-edge technology, businesses can ensure that both processes and policies are optimized for success.

In the realm of policy management, ComplianceBridge has been a game-changer for organizations around the globe for over two decades. Its platform transforms policy development into a collaborative journey, engaging teams in a shared mission to craft policies that resonate with everyone. This inclusive approach harnesses diverse perspectives, enriching the policy fabric of the company. The approval process is revolutionized; it’s not just about ticking boxes but about navigating an intuitive workflow that aligns seamlessly with organizational goals and compliance standards. ComplianceBridge doesn’t just offer tools; it provides pathways to smarter, more inclusive, and effective policy management.

If you’re ready to set your organization up for success with a strategic approach to policy management, request a demo of ComplianceBridge today!