Discovery & Analysis Guidance & Templates

Crucial to any successful process improvement initiative is the Discovery & Analysis phase. This is where a deep dive into the current process takes place, uncovering inefficiencies and pinpointing areas ripe for improvement. This phase typically involves using a variety of templates, tools, and techniques to gather data, map out the existing process, and brainstorm potential solutions. Confluence whiteboards, zoom, and Miro have multiple templates that can be used for this phase to include process maps and fishbone diagrams.

Key tools & techniques used in this phase include:

1. Process mapping: Creating a visual representation of the current process flow, including all steps, decision points, bottlenecks, and handoffs. This helps to identify areas of redundancy or inefficiency. Confluence whiteboards offer helpful templates for this purpose.

2. Root cause analysis: This involves digging deeper to understand the underlying reasons for process problems. Techniques used in root cause analysis include:

   • 5 Whys: Repeatedly asking "why" to drill down to the root cause of an issue.

   • Fishbone diagram: Also known as a cause-and-effect diagram, this tool, available as a template on Confluence whiteboards, helps to visually identify possible causes of a problem and their relationships.

3. DMAIC: A structured problem-solving methodology used in Six Sigma projects, which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

4. Value stream mapping: A lean tool used to identify waste and opportunities for improvement in a process by mapping out the flow of materials and information.

5. SWOT analysis: This tool is used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with a process, helping to prioritize improvement opportunities.

By thoroughly analyzing the current state of the process, the Discovery & Analysis phase provides a solid foundation for developing and implementing effective improvements in subsequent phase