The following pages are a compilation of brief descriptions of tools used by teams to understand and analyze their work processes. It's a standardized approach to analyzing work done at the University. It provides a consistent framework for understanding how process occur, identifying problems within the work, collecting data and developing solutions that take the needs of customers into account. Flowcharts allow teams to lay out the actual steps of work as it is done. The graphical aspect of this tools is useful to identify bottlenecks, places or steps where works tends to pile up or slow down, unnecessary steps as well as unnecessary hand-offs.
Most teams find that flowcharts open their eyes as to how processes are actually happening.
They also frequently report that flowcharting helps others become aware of the specifics of tasks or processes and serve to educate one another. Once a process has been flowcharted and problems identified, teams set up a new flowchart that incorporates all changes made to the work process. This is helpful documentation for future revisions of the work and as training tools for anyone having to learn the processes in question. The Pareto chart helps the team focus on problems that provide the most impact if they are solved. It is often used to identify which problems service receivers meet when they require services from a department or unit.