Improve Systems and Processes

Sometimes we get stuck doing things a certain way because “that’s the way they’ve always been done.” And sometimes there’s a better way to do them!

I love seeing how a process or system can be improved to streamline it or make it more efficient: cutting back on the time it takes to get something done or how long it takes for the process to complete from beginning to end. That could be moving a process online or eliminating redundant parts.

For example, my district has a “change order” form when a purchase order needs to be increased or decreased, as well as a template for contract amendments. I realized that many times the amendments were for increases to the total contract, which meant that inevitably a change order form would also have to be submitted later. With a few clicks and a quick meeting, I streamlined this process so that as soon as the amendment is approved by the board, the change order will be processed simultaneously, without the need for a second form.