Good Processes May Lack Humanity
Is your business or organization fixed on making the process better and better? How is performance measured? Good processes may overlook the human side of work.
Manufacturing and production always want to put everything into a system. We can go way back to the industrial revolution to find the evidence.
Today, we may hear things like Lean, 5s, Six Sigma, Kanban, and others.
Most of them are based on ways to structure workflow, ensure quality, and most of all, improve efficiencies. It is the output of the process measured against the cost to produce that output. An hour of work for an hour of pay.
In 2020, everything turned upside down for work in most US businesses and organizations. Those labeled or granted essential status continued on. An hour of work for an hour of pay.
Many others moved to a work from home (WFH) model and suddenly, the process changed.
The model of observed work shifted. It shifted from, “I can see you working” to “Let me know when you’ve finished the task.”
Which is better? Which method is more reliable, dependable, and, well, considerate of humanity?
Good Processes
Chances are good that in 2020 some businesses actually saw productivity increase.
Persons working from home realized that performance measurement was becoming more consistent with output instead of observation.
If a person could compile a report in 90 minutes which normally would take them a half-day, they would do it and then do some laundry, play with the kiddos, or walk the dog. Same pay, same output, but more options for the employee.
In many ways the business wins too. Happier employees, fewer infrastructure costs (when there is a long-term plan), and a favorite, less drama.
Across time, output and time measurements may catch up, but should that happen?
Have the measurements of productivity and efficiency changed?
Stopwatch Costs
Working from a stopwatch always validates a parameter or metric against time. It also often helps establish cost. Yet, that only happens for some work.
Creative work and services may include some measurement of time but often the output is measured subjectively.
That is a beautiful painting.
Your landscaping is fantastic.
The meal was delicious.
Do you want to pay a surgeon by the hour? Should it be based more on the deliverable?
Has the concept of good processes shifted? Should the human side of work only be measured with labor across time?
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
