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Consolidate Work

Collect similar work items and work in batches

Rather than addressing each case individually, consolidate multiple cases and execute activities in batches.

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

Batch processing is an organized method of handling tasks by grouping similar activities together and executing them collectively, as opposed to dealing with each task individually. This systematic approach aims to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows by minimizing transitions between different types of tasks, allowing for a more structured and optimized workflow.

Consider batch processing as a way of categorizing and addressing tasks akin to organizing household chores. Much like cleaning all the rooms at once instead of moving back and forth, batch processing involves identifying tasks that share commonalities, such as similar steps or resource requirements. For instance, tasks like processing invoices or sorting data entries are prime candidates for grouping into batches, allowing for a more efficient and effective handling of these activities.

Application

Batch processing is about figuring out which tasks can be done together because they're kind of alike. For example, if you're processing a bunch of invoices or sorting through data entries, these are tasks that share common steps. So, you group them into batches and handle them more efficiently.

While batch processing offers notable advantages, it is essential to maintain a focus on quality control and flexibility. Ensuring that each batch meets predefined standards is crucial, and the system should be adaptable to changes in task requirements. Regular monitoring of key performance indicators facilitates ongoing optimization. Striking the right balance between batch size and processing time is key to avoiding unnecessary complexity. In essence, batch processing serves as a strategic tool for enhancing efficiency, provided it is implemented with careful consideration of quality, flexibility, and balance.

Performance considerations

The impact of batch processing on performance is analogous to getting more value from your efforts. By concentrating on one batch at a time rather than switching between various tasks, the approach not only accelerates task completion but also optimizes resource utilization. This results in cost savings and improved overall efficiency. Imagine handling paperwork more swiftly and being better equipped to adapt to changing workloads—this exemplifies the positive performance impacts of batch processing.

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Foundational free Patterns

Distinguish case types

Determine whether activities are related to the same type of case and, if necessary, distinguish new business processes

Reduce touchpoints

Reduce the number of contacts with customers and third parties

Empower resources

Empower workers for more decision-making authority

Establish standardized interfaces

Consider a standardized interface with customers and partners

Specialist-generalist

Consider to deepen or broaden the skills of resources

Offer temporal flexibility

Let customers interact with your organization whenever they want to.

Task delegation

Reassign tasks along the organisational hierarchy

Experience-based task assignment

Delegate task according to experience: execution frequency, case involvement, interactions

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Combine activities

Combine small activities into composite activities

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