Combine small activities into composite activities
A technique for combining smaller tasks into larger ones to reduce setup times and improve the quality of work.
Reijers, H., & Liman Mansar, S. (2005). Best practices in business process redesign: an overview and qualitative evaluation of successful redesign heuristics. Omega, 33(4)
Task Combination is a process optimization technique that involves combining smaller tasks into larger ones. This technique reduces setup times, which are the time that resources need to become familiar with the specifics of a case, and can improve the quality of work. However, it is important to strike a balance between the size of the tasks and their workability. Tasks that are too large can result in smaller run-time flexibility and lower quality. Smaller tasks, on the other hand, can result in longer setup times.
By finding the optimal balance, organizations can achieve the best of both worlds: shorter setup times, higher quality, and greater flexibility.
Foundational free Patterns
Establish a case-based mindset
Remove batch-processing and periodic activities from your business process
If capacity is insufficient, consider increasing the available number of resources
Elevate physical constraints by applying new technology
Establish standardized interfaces
Consider a standardized interface with customers and partners
Minimize numerical involvement
Too many cooks spoil the broth
Offer customers the possibility to choose among privacy settings
Experience-based task assignment
Delegate task according to experience: execution frequency, case involvement, interactions
Delegate tasks according to resource cost
Consider the division of a general activity into two or more alternative activities
Collect similar work items and work in batches