Operational Management (15 hours, per month)
*IMPORTANT NOTE: This service should only be purchased after the initial consultation meeting. If you have not yet scheduled your consultation, please visit our Consultation page, under the "Get Started Now" tab, to schedule your initial consultation.
Okay, here's a comprehensive checklist for Operational Management, designed to help ensure smooth, efficient, and effective daily business functions. This can be adapted for various types of businesses.
Operational Management Checklist
I. Strategic Alignment & Planning
Review Business Objectives:Are daily operations clearly aligned with the company's strategic goals and vision?
Operational Plan Review:Is there a clear, documented operational plan (e.g., production schedules, service delivery protocols, supply chain strategy) that guides daily activities?
Performance Metrics (KPIs):Are key performance indicators (KPIs) defined, tracked, and regularly reviewed to measure operational efficiency and effectiveness? (e.g., productivity, lead times, defect rates, customer satisfaction scores).
Resource Planning:Are resources (staffing, equipment, inventory, technology) adequately planned and allocated to meet current and future operational demands?
Contingency Planning:Are plans in place for unforeseen disruptions (e.g., supply chain issues, equipment failure, staffing shortages, natural disasters)?
II. Process Management & Efficiency
Process Documentation:
Are all critical operational processes (e.g., order fulfillment, customer onboarding, manufacturing steps, service delivery) clearly documented and accessible?
Process Optimization:
Regularly review and identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement within processes.
Technology & Automation:
Are appropriate technologies and automation tools utilized to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort?
Quality Control:
Are quality standards defined and consistently applied throughout the operational process?
Waste Reduction:
Implement lean principles to identify and eliminate waste (e.g., excess inventory, unnecessary movement, overproduction).
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
Are SOPs up-to-date, understood by all relevant staff, and consistently followed?
III. Supply Chain & Inventory Management (if applicable)
Supplier Relationship Management:
Regularly evaluate supplier performance (quality, delivery, cost) and maintain strong relationships.
Inventory Levels:
Optimize inventory levels to balance cost efficiency with meeting customer demand.
Logistics & Distribution:
Ensure efficient and cost-effective movement of goods (inbound and outbound).
Risk Assessment:
Identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain (e.g., single-source reliance, geopolitical instability).
Forecasting Accuracy:
Work with sales/marketing to improve demand forecasting to minimize overstocking or stockouts.
IV. Workforce Management
Staffing Levels:
Ensure appropriate staffing levels to meet operational demands without excessive overtime or underutilization.
Training & Development:
Provide ongoing training to ensure staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively and adapt to new processes/technologies.
Performance Management:
Regularly evaluate employee performance against operational goals and provide constructive feedback.
Workforce Scheduling:
Optimize schedules to maximize productivity and employee satisfaction.
Health & Safety:
Ensure a safe working environment and compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations.
Employee Engagement:
Foster a positive work environment that motivates employees and reduces turnover.
V. Customer Service & Experience
Service Level Agreements (SLAs):
Are SLAs (internal and external) defined and consistently met?
Customer Feedback:
Establish mechanisms for collecting and acting on customer feedback related to operational delivery.
Complaint Resolution:
Have clear procedures for handling and resolving customer complaints efficiently and effectively.
Customer Journey Mapping:
Understand the customer's journey and identify operational touchpoints that can be optimized for a better experience.
VI. Maintenance & Infrastructure (if applicable)
Equipment Maintenance:
Implement preventative maintenance schedules for all critical equipment to minimize downtime.
Facility Management:
Ensure the physical workspace is well-maintained, safe, and conducive to productivity.
IT Infrastructure:
Ensure IT systems are reliable, secure, and support operational needs.
Security:
Implement physical and data security measures to protect assets and information.
VII. Reporting & Review
Regular Reporting:
Generate and analyze operational reports (e.g., production reports, service delivery metrics, cost reports, inventory reports).
Performance Reviews:
Conduct regular operational reviews with relevant teams and leadership to discuss performance, identify challenges, and plan improvements.
Budget vs. Actual:
Monitor operational expenses against budget and identify areas for cost control.
Action Tracking:
Maintain a system to track progress on operational initiatives and corrective actions.
This checklist provides a framework. We provide the most effective operational management that will tailor to the unique characteristics of your business, consistently seeking ways to improve efficiency, quality, and responsiveness.