First define A process

Everyone wants the best process!  But before you can have the "best", you first must define "A" process.

Many times, everyone immediately wants an optimized process.  Once you dig in, you may find that the process is more ad-hoc, meaning while it might be similar, realistically it's done differently.

So, the first step to building an optimized process is to start maturing the process by Stabilizing.  That means documenting & defining a process and aligning resources which creates Repeatability.  Things like: 

• Assigning a process owner;

• Outlining a swim lane process map;

• Defining roles & responsibilities;

• Capturing key process activity metrics; and

• Aligning on process capabilities internally. 

As a result, you will see resources and work items flowing through the same basic process, meeting internal process expectations, and generating reliable basic process metrics.  Now, you can begin to really drive the next level of improvement.

That's my 8020 Framework.  What's yours?