Solution

The Accelerator provides a flexible, pragmatic, and iterative approach to mapping a goal and attaching support resources to improve current execution of the process. It is iterative because the current state can be mapped out with all existing support elements. Immediate benefit can be realized. As the process is refined, new perspectives surface, or gaps are identified and filled, the system can be easily changed to support the new way. The concept is explained in the graph below. To see the Flash animation of the concept, click here.

Xegy Accelerator allows the goal or process to be laid out as specific steps along an "x axis". The resource categories and specific resources are laid out along a "y axis" according to how tracking should logically be performed.

Sample Layout

1. Process Steps

The process is mapped across the top navigation bar. The process can be whatever supports the business need. The example above is for new hire development and is laid out on a timeline. The process is derived from the business goal of getting new hires up to speed more quickly. In the example above, the process steps are based upon a timeline from before the new employee begins through the sixth week on the job. Click here for other examples.

2. Resources and Subresources

The resources and subresources that support the process build the left navigation bar. There is ultimate flexibility in what can be included as a resource or subresource. Any type of resource that supports performance of the process should be included. Requirements for the step, communication, best practices, training, tools, are some examples. The key is to look at it from an organizational standpoint and see what supports the goal. Then, activities are identified in each of the resource or subresource types. For example, there could be an activity to fill out a timesheet and how to make sure the correct charge codes are used. This is critical to the company success since incorrect charge codes can at a minimum delay payment and in the worst case will negate payment. If the organization has an existing support piece, it can be pointed to directly. Click here for resource examples.

3. Progress Tracking

One of the key requirements of success is tracking and measuring the right things. If you don't measure the right things, you won't get the right results. It is difficult to get the flexibility to get a high level view of progress in the right areas. By selecting which activities should be tracked and how the tracked information should be communicated, a very useful gauge can be used to track each individual or team in whatever categories make sense for the business. In the new hire development example, these category areas would be organized around the skills or competency areas that support high performance.

Progress can be tracked to the specific activity level and notes can be attached by the user or the manager.

Progess tracking is also accomplished through an email process that can inform the manager when a user who is their direct report has completed a particular activity.

Activities

Activities are incorporated to support successful performance of the process or productivity. Activities can be learning related or work related. Users can see a list of activities by step of the process or resource group. The colored squares designate the resources or subresources associated with the activity.

Consistent Presentation

A template can be laid our to present information in a consistent format and allow an administrator to attach relevant files, graphics, or content on the page. Information can be included in the system in the format of content and images on the page, links to files or URLs, or in a prepared template. Links can be to courses, assessments, ERPs, or any other resources within the company.

Mapping out the Process

One of the primary benefits of the system is the ability to map out the roadmap and all of the activities in a database. The view below shows the map that is dynamically generated and reflects process steps, resources, subresources, content, and activities. This view helps key stakeholders see the results from:

• Taking a business need
• Structuring it as a process with a clear goal
• Identifying the requirements, data, systems, tools, training, and human expertise the must or might be part of the process
• Developing an activity-based roadmap to accomplishing the goal established by the business need
• Determining what should be tracked

Activities can be added from this roadmap view or from any page in the application.

Editing and Changing the Performance Support Tool

A series of user friendly administration tools have been developed to make it easy for a non-technical administrator to change process steps, resource steps, activities, graphics, or content. We believe that if you have to train, it is probably to complicated.