WORKFLOW WORKS!

If a survey undertaken last year is correct, workflow is high on the agenda for many housing organisations, with a three fold increase in the number introducing workflow and it's technology bedfellow, electronic document management (EDM), in the next 2 years. So what is workflow, what are the benefits of its introduction and what are the pitfalls?

Quite simply, workflow is software that can automate business processes.

Workflow systems were first introduced over 20 years ago, using proprietary equipment and with an entry cost that meant the technology could only be adopted by cash rich organisations. Workflow was invariably used to automate and speed up processes that were already known within the user organisation, albeit in the heads of employees. Often, the primary purpose of these systems was to electronically push paper images around an organisation from one department to another - hence the common association of EDM with workflow.

During the 1990's the barriers to entry came down when systems were developed that ran on standard PC networks and early adopters in both private and public sectors set about introducing workflow. These early users too targeted paper intensive activities and by the end of the decade thousands of workflow systems were supporting numerous business processes.

Any business process uses a variety of information sources - documents, computer data, phone calls and human decision making. Today's workflow system user will have all the information needed to complete an item of work delivered to their worktray - a screen based equivalent of a desk top 'in tray' (image may be a little slow to load).

Supplier invoices - a suitable case for treatment

The process of authorising contractor invoices is a good example of a process that lends itself to the kind of automation that workflow can provide by bringing together salient items of information from a variety of sources and presenting them to users and systems in a timely manner.

On detecting receipt of an invoice when it is scanned by the Accounts Department, the workflow system routes the invoice and other relevant information, such as purchase order details and an inspection report, to the worktray of the person who ordered the work. This user would then check the details on screen, and, if they were satisfied that the details were correct, would electronically authorise the invoice for payment. The authorised invoice would then be automatically routed back to the Accounts Department for payment and cost centre data could be automatically transmitted to the General Ledger system. The workflow system could monitor the overall process to ensure that all this happens within a timescale that would ensure optimum payment arrangements - for example taking advantage of any early settlements discounts that had been negotiated and staff performance could be monitored in support of performance related bonuses.

The benefits

The reasons why organisations choose to implement workflow systems are well documented

Geographic independence - users merely need to be connected to the network to participate in the workflow.
Overhead savings - savings of 30% have been described. In any event workflow increases productivity allowing the same number of people to do more.
Greater efficiency - no searching for 'lost' information, no searching for files, no navigating endless computer screens to get to the information required.
Consistent service levels - a company consistent approach to the same task ensuring that procedures are followed.
Better use of skilled resource - freeing up skilled staff do what they have been trained to do.

Workflow in action

One housing organisation that has enjoyed the benefits of workflow is Selby District Council. Housing were the first department within the Authority to scan their paper files and to let workflow distribute items of work to users Intrays. Over 4,000 files were captured electronically allowing any user, subject to security, to have instant access to all aspects of tenant information and for any property, a complete history of previous tenants correspondence. Lost files and incomplete information have become a thing of the past.

All correspondence coming into the department is scanned and automatically routed to the appropriate staff member. In the case of staff holidays or sickness, the workflow system can re route work to other users' Intrays ensuring that service levels are maintained. The few items of work that cannot be automatically routed to a specific user are sent by default to an administrator's Intray for onward allocation. The level and throughput of work can be monitored by the workflow system, which provides useful management information.

As with any new computer system there was some trepidation before it's introduction and Denise Richardson, a Senior Clerk within the department, points out that housing organisations who are intending to introduce workflow should not underestimate the preparatory work involved in order to get the benefits. The task of preparing files for scanning and attention to the suitability of forms for scanning, were areas that needed careful review, but now with all information available on line, the housing staff are pleased with their electronic environment.

Denise is enthusiastic about the benefits for both Selby's staff and customers: "The system has saved an awful lot of staff time and customers benefit from staff having the full picture at their fingertips, regardless of whether the enquiry is about lettings, repairs or rents."

Workflow in a changing environment

But is workflow the panacea for all organisational ills? What are the pitfalls? Certainly endeavouring to 'drop' workflow on existing practices will rarely achieve the optimum outcome. At a minimum a review of current practices is needed and in many cases a Business Process Re engineering study will be advisable.

The introduction of workflow can be a catalyst for organisational change and, as such it is important to ensure that the solution chosen has the capability to support the future strategic plans for the organisation. For many years, traditional organisations, housing organisations included, have had an all embracing organisational model with a resource infrastructure and IT systems that supported it. But in the 21st century, these rigid structures are being challenged and organisations are re shaping and re grouping to support more collaborative approaches which blur conventional boundaries.

Within the housing market, the outsourcing of activities such as Repairs, Payroll, Accounts and IT are examples of early moves towards building new trading networks. The invoice processing example described above could involve 3 different organisations in the overall process, with the housing organisation linking to outside contractors for both the repair and it's inspection. A workflow system that managed such a trading network would need to be able to view the exact status of the process across all these participants at any point in time.

In this example the status within each of the organisations can be seen at a glance. The invoice awaits authorisation and payment and the report is highlighted to draw attention to its contents.

Future proofing your investment

Further changes, brought about by economic reality and enabled by technology, will demand IT solutions that support collaboration and a more distributed approach. For example, a workflow solution to Common Housing Registers could see a collaboration of housing providers within an area, specifically for the purpose of processing of applications for housing within that area, combining an improvement in service for the applicant with the potential to share the administrative workload.

The UK Government enthuses about 'joined up working' and ' multi professional teaming ' whilst the private sector talks about 'connected corporations' but the reality is the same - successful organisations will no longer shore up their boundaries but will operate in an environment characterised by networks of partnerships.

And as the reach of organisations extends into new partner organisations the relevance of workflow systems takes on a new importance.

The challenge for those implementing workflow systems is to ensure the technology approach they adopt has been designed with such considerations in mind.

WORKFLOW WORKS! by Denise Harrison