Map the process and circle what the customer pays for

The hands-on way to simplify a process before optimising it.

Jon McNeill's framework, from The Algorithm, pp. 17 to 94.

Map it
Put every step of the current process on a sticky note until the wall is full, missing no detail.
Circle what the customer pays for
Mark only the steps the customer would pay for, such as the car and not the paperwork.
Eliminate or hide the rest
Remove every uncircled step, or run it behind the scenes if it cannot go; go to the source of errors to stop them.
Optimise and practise
Time what remains, break it into sequenced chunks, and repeat it until it is fast.

From chapter: Part I: Principles of the Algorithm, pp. 17–94

More from this book