Too many processes are more rigid than they need to be.

Overall, standard operating procedures and checklists are important.  They’ve literally revolutionized critical fields ranging from anesthesiology to air traffic control.  They help drive positive outcomes in all kinds of operational work.

This week, I keep encountering processes that are have human decision removed when it’s not necessary…almost the essence of bureaucratization.  When this happens, the process becomes an end in itself, while the objective the process was designed to create recedes.

Sure, it’s more trouble to create processes that have elements of human decision.  It might lead to some mistakes now and then.  But it fosters two things we really care about:  paying attention to the intent of a process, the spirit not the letter of the law, if you will; and encouraging human autonomy.

So this is another area in which balance is needed.  Color within the lines, but shade the colors how we like.  If the picture doesn’t quite work, add a few lines to address this, while preserving the intent.

-Chris