Indian companies, in their quest to achieve world-class standards, have felt the need to become ‘lean and mean’. A continuous emphasis on improving employee productivity not only results in improving cost competitiveness, but also enhanced efficiency of internal processes.

TSMG has developed a proprietary framework called Work Analysis and Productivity Improvement (WAPI) which helps companies improve their employee productivity. Optimal staffing levels, reducing managerial effort, improving customer facing services through effective outsourcing and structural redesign, and identifying initiatives for process improvement, are the objectives that WAPI has been designed to deliver.

It is designed for the entire operations of the company, with TSMG playing the role of an active facilitator. Initially, a project structure is established with a key company executive acting as the sponsor. The extent of improvement in productivity required is established through internal and external benchmarking. WAPI requires a thorough understanding of the existing organization structure, processes and activities of employees.

The study of the organization structure involves mapping roles, hierarchy and overlaps. Process flows and roles of different agencies are also mapped. Activities of employees are defined and characteristics like sequence and load identified through work distribution charts. The as-is mapping is then analyzed to identify role redundancies, overlaps and bottlenecks. Opportunities for improvement are then explored by using levers such as zero basing of processes and activities, process improvement, departmental realignment, empowerment, automation and outsourcing.

Opportunities thus identified are then syndicated with client teams in consultation with the sponsor and signoffs obtained. Thus, it is ensured that improvement opportunities are appropriately recorded and responsibilities assigned for implementation.

TSMG has used WAPI effectively to bring about large scale process improvements and reduce workforce by 20-40% in a large number of companies in industries as diverse as dairy products, foundry products, auto components, auto assembly, agrochemicals, steel and chemicals.