How to Prioritise Productivity Improvements: Tips from UNBLOCK
Prioritising productivity improvements can be a challenging task, especially when faced with a long list of potential projects. In "UNBLOCK: Transform Your Profitability Through a Culture of Productivity in Just 100 Days," I outline some ideas on where to start. Here are some tips to help you prioritise effectively and achieve significant productivity gains.
1. Quantify the Opportunity
During your Unblock Audit™, quantify the potential productivity gains for each identified opportunity. This can be expressed in time savings, cost savings, or the value of missed opportunities.
2. Use the Productivity Priority Matrix
The Productivity Priority Matrix is a simple yet powerful tool that helps categorise potential improvements based on their impact and effort. This two-by-two matrix has two axes: ease of implementation (effort) and productivity improvement (impact). By plotting each potential project on this matrix, you can identify:
Quick Wins: High impact, low effort. These should be your top priority as they provide the most immediate benefits.
Big Wins: High impact, high effort. Plan these sequentially to ensure they are implemented correctly without overwhelming your team.
Fill-Ins: Low impact, low effort. These can be tackled during lulls or when waiting for other projects to progress.
Never Wins: Low impact, high effort. Generally, these are not worth pursuing as the effort outweighs the benefits.
3. Understand Your Productivity Culture
Identifying your current productivity culture is crucial in prioritising improvements. In "UNBLOCK," I outline four productivity cultures: Traumatic, Problematic, Systematic, and Automatic. Each requires different approaches:
Traumatic: Focus on stabilising operations and improving cash flow. Avoid lengthy projects and prioritise quick wins that address immediate crises.
Problematic: Concentrate on improving quality by addressing rework, revisits, and refunds. Select projects that enhance consistency and efficiency.
Systematic: Implement more sophisticated processes and technologies. Prioritise projects that automate and streamline operations.
Automatic: Focus on continuous improvement and innovation. Prioritise projects that push the boundaries and explore new opportunities.
By following these tips, you can effectively prioritise productivity improvements and drive significant gains within your organisation. For more detailed guidance and practical examples, be sure to explore "UNBLOCK" when it launches.