Is your workflow keeping up with your business?
Workflow design has undergone significant transformation over the years. While many core principles have stood the test of time, others have evolved dramatically with the advancement of technology. At the heart of it all, workflow design remains grounded in a few tried-and-true concepts.
Core Workflow Design Principles
🎨 Layers of Paint
Workflows should not be thought of as “one-and-done” projects. Like layers of paint, good workflows are developed iteratively – start with a baseline, test it, make refinements, and repeat. This iterative approach leads to smarter, more adaptable systems that evolve with your business needs.
⚖️ The 80/20 Rule
Don’t overcomplicate things. You can’t – and shouldn’t – solve every possible scenario with a single workflow. Design workflows to handle 80% of tasks that occur frequently and consistently. Avoid building in rare exceptions, such as a one-off requests from five years ago. Keep things efficient, streamlined, and maintainable.
🧠Dual Mindsets
What works today may not be the right solution tomorrow. It’s important to balance the current state with future goals. Understand why each step exists now but stay open to new frameworks that could improve the experience. Designing workflows that are both intuitive and forward-looking allows for scalable, automated solutions that guide users effectively.
đźš« Avoid Over-Engineering
Don’t lose sight of the big picture. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details or try to create a “perfect” solution. Stay focused on your overall goal – your North Star. Simplicity and usability often trump complexity.
Evolving Expectations and Technologies
Workflow expectations have evolved dramatically. What once felt innovative is now considered basic. For instance:
- Automated reminders are now table stakes. Today, the focus is on intelligent visualization of work – helping users see what matters and take the right actions at the right time.
- Audience-first design is critical. Consider who’s involved, what their role is, and how and where they work.
- Prompted updates from service providers are replacing the need for proactive status checks. Let the system prompt when input is needed.
- Expense auditing has changed significantly. While layered approval was once the norm, now many of those steps can be digitized or handled by AI.
- Inputting expense reports no longer requires employees to enter every line manually. With AI, receipts can be scanned and converted into expense lines automatically.
From Manual to Meaningful
In the past, operational staff often bore the brunt of manual processes. Today, organizations are recognizing the cost of that approach, not just in dollars, but in employee experience. There’s a growing focus on operational efficiency paired with human-centric design.
Why Work with Us?
With over 25 years of experience, Servicengine helps organizations modernize workflows that drive real results. We bring together:
- Thoughtful process design
- Smart automation
- Seamless integrations
- Cross-team collaboration
Ready to evolve your workflows?
Let’s build systems that don’t just work today but adapt for tomorrow.
At Servicengine, we’re helping teams rethink what mobility tech can be, flexible, affordable, and built to fit the way you work. If you’re ready for a better fit, Contact Us!
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