{"id":6402,"date":"2016-08-04T11:10:15","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actuationconsulting.com\/?p=6402"},"modified":"2016-08-04T11:10:15","modified_gmt":"2016-08-04T16:10:15","slug":"workflow-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actuationconsulting.com\/workflow-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Workflow Analysis as a Product Management Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently we explored the strengths and weaknesses inherent in using Capturing the Voice of the Customer<\/em> as a product management approach<\/a>. Today, we\u2019re going to consider the second of the three product management approaches: Workflow Analysis<\/em><\/p>\n

Product Managers Taking a Deep Dive into a Client\u2019s Processes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In thinking about Workflow Analysis<\/em>, it\u2019s important to remember that what we\u2019re really talking about is analyzing how a client\u2019s business processes can be altered to better meet the company\u2019s business objectives. This can include digging deep into everything from the processes the client uses to pay bills and manage employee benefits to the process for handling customer complaints and beyond.<\/p>\n

A Product Manager\u2019s Goals in a Workflow Analysis<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

As a product manager your goal in conducting a Workflow Analysis<\/em> is to understand how your customer gets things done. Workflow analysis can also identify problems so you can help solve them.<\/p>\n

To successfully achieve this, you\u2019ll need to spend significant time with your customers. \u00a0Your goal in meeting with customers is to literally map out their work processes in detail. By detail I mean you\u2019ll need to not only capture steps taken to reach the desired outcome, but also the staff and outside players involved in the process and how they interact.<\/p>\n

Done thoroughly and correctly, this process will yield new ways to improve products and\/or add new products and services. It will also help solve your client\u2019s most vexing business challenges.<\/p>\n

Multiple Clients, Increased Benefits for the Product Manager<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In working with different clients, you\u2019ll start see patterns emerging. These emerging patterns give product managers insight into hidden marketing opportunities.<\/p>\n

Your knowledge of product management coupled with the mapping information you\u2019ve collected has the potential to transform how your customers go about reaching their most important goals.<\/p>\n

In addition, the information you gather during the Workflow Analysis<\/em> is extremely valuable. This knowledge can help you make your company\u2019s marketing and sales operations more effective.<\/p>\n

Product Manager Tips for Using Workflow Analysis<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

When getting started with a Workflow Analysis<\/em> document every step of your customer\u2019s workflow to set a baseline. With the baseline set, you\u2019ll be ready to help your client reduce inefficiencies and ideally save time and money.<\/p>\n

New technologies often spark huge improvements. The adoption of digital technology to replace paper-based processes in the medical field is a case in point. It improved communication, medical record-keeping and patient care \u2013 a victory on every level.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve fully documented the workflow process, you will likely see redundancies. Identifying these issues may allow you to streamline and shore up the process. The outcome of the Workflow<\/em> Analysis<\/em>\u00a0approach is often a win-win for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

The very nature of implementing the Workflow Analysis<\/em> approach with a client results in you and your company becoming deeply embedded in your client\u2019s business processes. It naturally creates a co-dependent relationship. Such a relationship demands a high level of trust between the two organizations. Otherwise your client will not feel comfortable sharing in-depth information about processes.<\/p>\n

To be allowed to pursue the Workflow Analysis<\/em>, it is vital that you be able to demonstrate significant value to both your own company and your client\u2019s. Otherwise, it\u2019s likely not going to be considered worth the investment.<\/p>\n

In my next post, we\u2019ll look at the third and final approach to product management: Outcome-driven Innovation<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently we explored the strengths and weaknesses inherent in using Capturing the Voice of the Customer as a product management approach. Today, we\u2019re going to consider the second of the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6544,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[41,42,330,315,46,362,48,49,50,51,248,54,324],"tags":[56,337,105,154,161,182,194,197,346,371],"class_list":["post-6402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agile","category-business-analysis-2","category-innovation","category-marketing-2","category-product-management","category-product-manager","category-product-marketing","category-product-owner-2","category-product-teams","category-project-management","category-take-charge-product-management","category-user-experience","category-voice-of-the-customer","tag-actuation-consulting","tag-agile","tag-greg-geracie","tag-product-development","tag-product-management-2","tag-product-manager","tag-product-owner","tag-product-team","tag-take-charge-product-management","tag-workflow-analysis"],"yoast_head":"\nWorkflow Analysis as a Product Management Approach - 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