On more than one occasion, I have witnessed the installation of expensive technology in broken, chaotic processes. Leadership believes that things are going to automatically get better just because you are applying the most up-to-date technology. However, you won’t end up being faster if you haven’t first examined your process and business; you’re just failing and creating waste faster.
Why do Senior Leaders face Systemic Instability?
When you continue to apply new technology and software to problems because you believe they will finally bring organization and flow, you will be constantly scratching your head in disbelief. Technology and automation serve only one purpose: speed. If you have a process that isn’t designed well or is plagued by quality errors, automation isn’t going to fix that. The reality is that automation without process integrity leads to massive data errors quickly. By adopting Process Discipline, you eliminate Automated Chaos and unlock predictable, high-speed outcomes. You must take the time to audit your processes and go to the genba to review what is working and what is not. Many leaders I have spoken with say, “I don’t have time for that.” I don’t believe you don’t have a choice if you want to see your business succeed. Stop trying to apply quick fixes and get quick wins at the expense of your team, because the only people who feel the pain of these types of decisions are your team.
The Path Forward
Automation is like a megaphone; it makes the good things louder, but it makes the bad things deafening. Process Integrity is very important and worth striving for. The first thing you need to do when faced with a messy process or outcome is to go to the genba and observe. Write down what you see on paper with a pen or pencil; the kinesthetic action will help your thought process as you plan what to do later. Don’t try to fix it now; let it sit, ask the team questions, and take more notes. Then, instead of automating a process that has messy data, try this: Fix the process first, then flip the switch on the automation. This ensures your technology builds trust rather than destroying it.
Steve Beauchamp 