Testing processes during the pilot phase

Processes help organizations scale up. Processes are nothing but just a set of guidelines for managing activity and handling situations.

Processes are usually centrally planned and locally implemented. They reduce dependence on individual brilliance, and instill a discipline that results in operational efficiencies and consistency of experience. They also allow individuals to be clear on how a certain activity/situation is to be handled.

The quality of processes can make or break an organization. Not only should processes be implemented, but they should also be measured and evaluated periodically to ensure that inefficiencies and redundancies are eliminated.

In a startup, it is critical to define some processes, yet be flexible enough to adjust them,as soon as you see some processes becoming bottlenecks or inefficient.

During a pilot phase, the startup could test multiple processes and then decide which ones seem to be working better and adopt them for the organization. However, what is important is the focus on establishing processes BEFORE the company needs the processes to scale up. The pilot phase allows processes to be tested, as some of them are bound to fail. The smaller scale of a pilot allows the outcome of failed processes to be handled or damage to be contained quickly. But it does require closer monitoring and planning.

Nett: Be process-oriented during the pilot-phase too. But be nimble and flexible, and be ready to make quick adjustments.

Author: Prajakt Raut

Prajakt Raut is the founder of Applyifi.com, and author of the book for startups - ‘Starting Up & Fund Raising’ Prajakt personal goal in life is to encourage and assist a 100,000 people to become entrepreneurs. _____________ Prajakt is the founder of Applyifi - an online platform that provides startups a 36-point scorecard and assessment report on the venture's investment readiness [www.applyifi.com], and helps them improve their odds of getting funded. Prajakt is also the founding partner of The Growth Labs, a platform where growth-stage companies get sharp, incisive advice from senior professionals and experienced entrepreneurs. [www.thegrowthlabs.in] Before starting Applyifi, Prajakt was the head of operations at IAN, founding member of a leading incubator, and the Asia-Director for TiE (2004 - 2007). Previously Prajakt had co-founded Orange Cross, a healthcare services company, and was part of the founding team member of Idealake Technologies. While in college Prajakt had founded a printing business and has spent over 10 years working in leading advertising agencies. Prajakt’s book, ‘Starting Up & Fund Raising’, helps startups understand an investor’s perspective, and helps them improve their odds of getting funded. The book also helps entrepreneurs understand the building blocks of a business. View all posts by Prajakt Raut