Process Re-engineering (7R Framework)
AIA's process re-engineering method: map and validate current processes (using SIPOC), then apply the '7 R's of Process Innovation' — Rethink, Reconfigure, Re-Sequence, Relocate, Reduce, Reassign, Retool — to redesign for standardisation and digitalisation.
What it is
A structured process-redesign lens applying seven questions to each process step — can it be rethought, reconfigured, re-sequenced, relocated, reduced, reassigned or retooled — to identify automation, digitalisation and simplification opportunities, following prior process mapping (typically via SIPOC).
Problem it solves
Ad hoc process improvement misses systemic redesign opportunities (fragmentation, unnecessary hand-offs, poor sequencing); the 7 R's provide a repeatable lens to surface these opportunities.
When to use
- Key processes have been mapped (e.g. via SIPOC) and need to be redesigned for efficiency, automation or digitalisation
Key questions
- Rethink: is there a completely different way to accomplish this objective?
- Reconfigure: is there fragmentation, or can common activities be consolidated?
- Re-Sequence: can parallelism or prediction reduce time?
- Relocate: can the activity move closer to the client or supplier?
- Reduce: how can frequency or critical-resource use be optimised?
- Reassign: can the customer, supplier or partner perform this activity, or can it be outsourced?
- Retool: how can technology or automation transform the process?
Inputs
- Mapped current-state ('as-is') processes
- Identified bottlenecks, hand-offs and redundant steps
Steps
- 1Map and validate as-is processesUnderstand current processes through briefings, stakeholder engagement and validation workshops (see SIPOC).
- 2Apply the 7 R'sSystematically ask the Rethink / Reconfigure / Re-Sequence / Relocate / Reduce / Reassign / Retool questions of each process step.
- 3Redesign to-be processesProduce streamlined, automated to-be workflows and a gap-analysis report of current process gaps and improvement areas.
Outputs
- Gap analysis report
- Streamlined and automated to-be process workflows
- Automation/AI recommendations
Source visuals
