How can you negotiate for resources and support to execute successful process design projects?

Process design is a skill that involves creating and improving workflows, systems, and procedures to achieve specific goals. It can be applied to various domains, such as product development, service delivery, customer experience, and organizational change. However, to execute successful process design projects, you need more than just technical expertise. You also need to negotiate for resources and support from your stakeholders, such as managers, clients, colleagues, and users. In this article, you will learn some tips and strategies on how to do that effectively.

1 Identify your needs and value proposition

Before you start negotiating, you need to have a clear idea of what you need and what you can offer in return. For example, you may need more time, budget, data, tools, feedback, or access to certain people or systems. You also need to articulate how your process design project will benefit your stakeholders, such as by improving efficiency, quality, satisfaction, or innovation. You can use tools like stakeholder maps, value propositions, and business cases to help you define and communicate your needs and value proposition.

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Hossein Esfandiari

Chief Executive Officer at Middle East Technology Assessment
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If an organization does not understand the benefits and necessity of a process, it will not allocate its resources and facilities to implement it. Therefore, the first step is to gather field information about the importance and benefits of implementing a process and the risks of not implementing it. In the next step, this information must be presented in simple and appropriate language according to the audience's patience.

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Robert White

Total Plant Assessment Coordinator at NALCO/ an Ecolab Company
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In developing a plan, the best "critical path" is noted, but incorporating other paths or variables would be prudent.....when you go into battle, the plan changes?

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2 Build trust and rapport

Negotiation is not just a transaction, but a relationship. You need to build trust and rapport with your stakeholders, so that they are more likely to support your process design project. You can do this by showing genuine interest in their goals, challenges, and perspectives, and by listening actively and empathetically. You can also demonstrate your credibility and competence by sharing your expertise, experience, and evidence. Additionally, you can use positive language, humor, and compliments to create a friendly and collaborative atmosphere.

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Ana Michele Alves Vieira

Coordenadora Administrativa e Financeira | Experiência em Gestão de Equipes e Processos
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Criar e estruturar processos facilita e acelera a realização das atividades em qualquer tipo de trabalho. E para identificar como é feito e como deveria ser feito, para ter mais eficiência, nada melhor que envolver as pessoas que de fato realizam as atividades. Devemos guiar os trabalhos para que todos sintam confiança e tenham coragem de colocar os seus pontos de vista. Mostrar para as pessoas envolvidas que com um mapeamento e desenho adequado de como fazer, todos sairão ganhando. Na minha experiência, posso afirmar que com simplicidade e clareza é possível criar e implantar processos bem-sucedidos, obtendo ganho em eficiência e ambiente de trabalho agradável e colaborativo.

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Robert White

Total Plant Assessment Coordinator at NALCO/ an Ecolab Company
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Stakeholders are there to fulfill needs. Be aware of their needs with Q/A questions and get specific....and ask for help in understanding same. Leveraging solutions can come later but needs first! You have two ears and one mouth, so do a lot of listening....

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3 Align your interests and expectations

One of the key challenges of negotiation is to find a common ground between your interests and those of your stakeholders. You need to understand their motivations, priorities, and constraints, and how they relate to your process design project. You can use tools like interest-based negotiation, win-win scenarios, and trade-offs to help you align your interests and expectations. You can also use questions, feedback, and validation to clarify and confirm your understanding and agreement.

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Robert White

Total Plant Assessment Coordinator at NALCO/ an Ecolab Company
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Always good to state what you think you know and ask for confirmation even if you feel foolish or think poorly of stakeholder....clarification will save a ton of work.

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4 Handle objections and conflicts

Even if you have done your homework and prepared well, you may still encounter objections and conflicts from your stakeholders. They may have doubts, concerns, or disagreements about your process design project or your negotiation proposal. You need to handle these situations with respect, confidence, and creativity. You can use techniques like reframing, probing, brainstorming, and compromising to address and resolve objections and conflicts. You can also use empathy, acknowledgment, and apology to defuse tension and restore trust.

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Robert White

Total Plant Assessment Coordinator at NALCO/ an Ecolab Company
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There might be a way that's better than yours, so ask how they've handled similar situations and maybe learn something you hadn't thought of.

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5 Follow up and deliver

The last step of negotiation is to follow up and deliver on your promises. You need to document and confirm the outcomes and actions of your negotiation, and communicate them clearly and consistently to your stakeholders. You also need to follow through on your commitments and responsibilities, and keep your stakeholders updated on your progress and results. You can use tools like project plans, status reports, and feedback surveys to help you follow up and deliver. You can also use recognition, appreciation, and celebration to reinforce your relationship and collaboration.

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Robert White

Total Plant Assessment Coordinator at NALCO/ an Ecolab Company
(edited)
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"Raking the leaves" in any endeavor is critical leaving nothing for stakeholders to fix or argue about. Finish what you start!

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you negotiate for resources and support to execute successful process design projects?

1

2

3

4

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6

1 Identify your needs and value proposition

2 Build trust and rapport

3 Align your interests and expectations

4 Handle objections and conflicts

5 Follow up and deliver

6 Here’s what else to consider

Process Design

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How can you negotiate for resources and support to execute successful process design projects?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your needs and value proposition

2 Build trust and rapport

3 Align your interests and expectations

4 Handle objections and conflicts

5 Follow up and deliver

6 Here’s what else to consider

Process Design

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