Combine activities
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)
Description
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.
Performance considerations
By finding the optimal balance, organizations can achieve the best of both worlds: shorter setup times, higher quality, and greater flexibility.
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Foundational free Patterns
Consider automating activities
Let workers perform as many steps as possible for single cases
Reduce the number of contacts with customers and third parties
Elevate physical constraints by applying new technology
Establish standardized interfaces
Consider a standardized interface with customers and partners
Order knock-outs by least effort and highest termination probability first.
Consider whether activities may be executed in parallel
Assign tasks based on resources' roles in the organisation
Workload-based task assignment
Allocate tasks based on individuals' incomplete workload
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Connected to
Consider the division of a general activity into two or more alternative activities
Collect similar work items and work in batches