What’s your pet hate in work? For me it’s the ‘tracker’!
You know, the (usually spreadsheet) document in which someone has to type out transactions for either processing or assurance purposes. Sure, I know that trackers are often borne out of necessity or urgency and I recognise that they provide a quick fix to some sort of data or compliance challenge…but I can’t get over the fact that they come with some significant downsides:
🚩 Trackers plaster over a process or system gap, masking the underlying problem and reducing the urgency of finding a longer term solution
🚩 They are misleading. People diligently complete trackers believing that they safeguard the business whereas actually they create duplication and are error prone
🚩 They create work. People who have brilliant insight and experience end up spending their valuable time on unnecessary data input
In my experience, trackers are no substitute for effective systems, automated and efficient processes and people freed up to focus on added value activities.
What’s the one thing that makes your blood boil?
P.S. If you have a tracker problem, fear not! There’s almost nothing I enjoy more than tracker removal! Get in touch for a chat about how I might be able to help you get rid of them once and for all.
Cara Halliwell is the Director of CE Change Ltd, a consultancy that specialises in helping businesses understand and solve their people, process and technology challenges. For further information about the services we offer, click here.
