Have you ever been in a situation where you know something has to be done yet nothing gets done? You know it is time for a change yet change is not happening? It’s as if the organization has become paralyzed and even though everyone knows something has to happen, nothing does. This is a scenario I have seen played over and over during my career and one that is called organizational paralysis.
Imagine for a moment that your organization is now facing new regulatory constraints mandating a move to a more digital world with enhanced tracking and communications capabilities. While this is a positive step forward for the industry, there may be little guidance as to how you can make it happen. Using healthcare as an example, based on the differing perspectives within your enterprise there may be differences in the definition of what constitutes a complete patient record. Some may view it as MRI, CT, and X-Ray while others may see it as admissions, pharmacy and billing. Fact is they are all part of a patient record. The question now is how do you capture and manage all of this digital information securely? Even if you do work out a solution, how do you then communicate this information to external organizations authorized to receive it, like the insurance providers? Looking at it from this more holistic view, many organizations never leave the starting gate.
All of these topics can bring about a state of paralysis for some organizations. I used healthcare as the example here, but I have seen it in many other vertical segments as well. In my view, you need to take some steps to move your organization forward. You need to establish a baseline understanding of what a record is and means for your organization. You need to assess what information exists within that definition and how it must be managed in accordance with the regulations for your industry. You need to plan the approach you will use and garner the support of the entire organization. I know I am making it sounds simple, realizing it is not, but I also believe you have to take steps and try it if you are to succeed. Standing still and hoping things work out is not a sound practice and will get you into trouble eventually so go ahead and take the first steps even it is to gain new insight through education. It is better to try something and learn than to sit idle and wonder.
What say you? How are you mapping processed? Do you ask why? Do you have a story to tell? I want to hear from you and learn what you and your organization are doing.
Looking to increase your level of knowledge? Join us for the ECM Certificate course in:
- New York 10/13/09 - 10/16/09
- Toronto 10/27/09 - 10/30/09
- San Francisco 11/10/09 - 11/13/09
- Houston 11/17/09 - 11/20/09
- San Diego 12/01/09 - 12/04/09
We look forward to seeing you there.
I will also be in Chicago delivering an ECMp workshop at the Document Strategy Forum on October 6th and 7th. Will you be there?
Bob Larrivee – AIIM
Follow me on twitter – BobLarrivee and remember to visit www.aiim.org/training and www.informationzen.org, AIIM’s free social network created just for you.
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