Processes like hiking trails need to be groomed. The ORDER model will help us keep our process groomed.

1. Process Grooming:
keeping our processes useful
the ORDER model

2. Created 2012
by Tom Curtis
Blog: www.onimproving.blogspot.com
Presentations: www.slideshare.net/onimproving
Email: ideamerchants@gmail.com
Twitter: @onimproving

3. Hiking trails need to be groomed to keep
them in shape. This also true for business
processes. They, like trails, can become less
clear as time goes on making them less easy
to follow. What follows is a model to
groom our processes so they remain useful.
Let’s get grooming.

4. ORDER Model
• Observe
• Review
• Define
• Execute
• Routinize

5. Observe
See the process from beginning to end.
Understand the full process through
the doer's perspective.
Note maintenance activities and
opportunities for improvement.

6. Review
Review any documentation for the process
(standard work, schedules, or manuals).
Review who participates in the process.
Recognize opportunities for the process.

7. Decide
Decide which actions to pursue
Develop actionable plans for identified
opportunities and maintenance actions.
Schedule and resource the selected plans.

8. Execute
Execute the scheduled plans.
Ensure that the process is solid and stable.
Evaluate and look for improvement
opportunities to pursue.

9. Routinize
Routinize a set of practices that can be done
periodically to groom the process.
Create a schedule of when to apply and
who will perform.
Use the ORDER model to further improve.