“WRM is an approach that enables management to better understand how an organization operates and establishes a collaborative environment within which work is assigned and prioritized.”
-Mark Smith, CEO and Chief Research Officer, Ventana Research
In the previous three parts of this series, we have discussed some challenges and obstacles to work and resource management (WRM) faced by executives, how technology is key to a successful execution of WRM, and how aligning WRM to other digital transformation priorities requires an elimination of siloed processes and an investment in people and how they work. It’s now time to delve into part 4, where I will present a more detailed explanation of the many benefits of work and resource management. To catch up on any parts you missed in this series, you can access them below:
- Part 1: An Executive Perspective on Changing Work and Resource Dynamics
- Part 2: An Executive Perspective on the Role of Work and Resource Management Technology
- Part 3: An Executive Perspective on Aligning WRM with Digital Transformation Priorities
Let’s first touch on a few review points . 1) According to Ventana Research, WRM “is a set of unified and distributed, technology-driven business processes that define, document, and execute tasks,” and 2) it “empowers people to understand their work and track their progress.” In a nutshell, it allows you to better use your resources and stay ahead of your competition by better connecting all levels and departments in your organization. A pretty good deal, if you ask me. Now, let’s look at some of the specific benefits.
How does a work and resource management approach benefit the organization?
When it comes to WRM, you want a continuous and interconnected approach that not only enables you to better achieve strategic goals, but gives you the capability to make adjustments to the strategic plan as needed. Once this connection is established, you will be able to:
- Achieve organization wide visibility and reporting. This comes from the dedicated, tech-based approach of WRM. For senior leaders, the visibility obtained from such an approach provides them with the confidence that their strategies and initiatives are being executed within applications that are designed for strategic operations. Plus, with greater visibility into how work contributes to the strategic goal, reporting throughout the year becomes much simpler.
- Align your many different strategic goals. This means using the right applications to tie together strategic planning, portfolio management, the introduction and management of products and services to market, and the ability to provide the best possible customer experience. Through WRM, these connections will ensure strategic consistency and delivery.
- Improve the efficiency and continuity of interactions. Leaders in every department should be able to direct and interact with business-side and IT teams in a continuous and efficient manner. With WRM you can achieve an approach that is more agile and outcomes-focused, as well as one that is faster in the delivery of work.
- Connect the entire organization, regardless of level or location. The immediate benefits of WRM will most likely appear at the work-group or departmental level. However, the organization will realize even more significant value where work crosses organizational boundaries and responsibilities. These are the situations in which both time and efficiency are often lost for most organizations.
To stand out from the competition and improve accountability and productivity of your workforce, ensure your organization is effectively managing work and resources. Once you have the right focus on WRM, you will be able to improve both the time to market of products and services, as well as the strategic planning of operations.
Continue reading the final part of this series, An Executive Perspective on Getting Started with Work and Resource Management, where I will cover the steps you need to take to get started with WRM.
You can also learn more about everything work and resource management and how Planview solutions can help by visiting www.planview.com.
