When you begin to think about changing your delivery model, one of your first questions is likely, “where do I start?” Whether you are considering a shared services model, have implemented a shared services model you wish to improve, or are interested in making other changes to your delivery model and staffing levels, understanding who does what work is critical in determining the right solution.
ScottMadden recommends starting with a work activity assessment to gather data to support these changes. The work activity assessment is a process for collecting employees’ time spent across detailed processes and activities, determining the labor cost of the activities, and assessing your delivery model, staffing levels, and costs using benchmarks and leading practices. A work activity assessment is a critical first step in any current state assessment.
It serves three primary purposes:
• Documents the work being performed
• Identifies who is performing which activities
• Establishes a baseline from which to compare future changes
You can gain valuable insight from the work activity assessment such as identifying overlapping work across positions, work that is not being performed but should be, potential compliance issues, and shadow organizations that exist. You may also identify administrative work that is not centralized, opportunities to improve workflow or automate processes, or work that is misaligned with the position. Our clients are frequently surprised by what they find.
Sussex Economic Advisors is now part of ScottMadden. We invite you to learn more about our expanded firm. Please use the Contact Us form to request additional information.
