Is There Any Organisation Which Does Not Have “Processes”?

This is the old favourite. The number of organisations that I go to and get asked this question is thankfully reducing. But let me address this one squarely:

Are there any organisations which do not have Processes? NO

Defending the Undefendable

OK, let’s be very clear.

I can fully understand a number of organisations which have had a “process” overload and now do not want to touch anything to do with process for a long time.

They have been BPR’ed, probably multiple times, by Consultancy Companies who spent a long time with a lot of highly paid people and in the end they “downsized” or “rightsized” the target organisations with all the skill of a DIY expert being used to delicate surgery.

They have been sold the dream of BPM, Workflow, Process Automation, STP, CRM, DIP and many other fancy pieces of software which have ended up very expensive and of minimal benefit.

They have been Process Modelled using any number of consultants just to end up with beautiful pictures that helped no one.

Let’s face it – the Management Consultancy Companies and Software Companies have an absolutely appalling track record in this area. As a result, companies react like an open wound has been touched when the word “process” is mentioned. This is understandable.

Every Organisation Has Processes

Unfortunately, if you manage an organisation you have processes.

They might be imposed on you by Government either by statute or by a regulator.

They might be imposed on you by the owners of the Organisation such as by Shareholders, the Board or by Auditors.

You may have created them yourself to ensure consistency and quality of supply to either new or existing staff.

But they do exist, and they typically cover:

Sales and Marketing
Finance and Accounting
Production and Supply of Goods & Services
Human Resources
Procurement and Storage
Asset Management
Research and Development
Company Management

And within these processes, sub processes will exist to address the main subjects within these functions such as :

Vetting a Supplier
Ordering goods and services
Receiving goods and services
Receiving invoices for goods and services
Recording invoices
Paying invoices

In summary, you may call them Processes, Procedures, Audit Guidelines, Job Descriptions or Team Objectives, but you have Processes.