This document provides instructions for an assignment to create a flowchart representing a common workflow within an organization. Students are asked to: 1) Select a regular event within their organization and create a flowchart depicting the current workflow. 2) Analyze each step of the process, identifying who is responsible, what technologies and policies are involved, and what information is required. 3) Evaluate the effectiveness of the current metrics used to measure the workflow and propose improvements that could increase efficiency. The goal is to understand how activities within an organization flow in order to minimize waste and optimize the use of resources.

1. Assignment: Creating a Flowchart
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FILE FOR SAMPLE DOCUMENT
Workflow analysis aims to determine workflow patterns that
maximize the effective use of resources and minimize activities
that do not add value. There are a variety of tools that can be
used to analyze the workflow of processes and clarify potential
avenues for eliminating waste. Flowcharts are a basic and
commonly used workflow analysis method that can help
highlight areas in need of streamlining.
In this Assignment, you select a common event that occurs
regularly in your organization and create a flowchart
representing the workflow. You analyze the process you have
diagrammed and propose changes for improvement.
To prepare:
Identify a common, simple event that frequently occurs in your
organization that you would like to evaluate.
Consider how you would design a flowchart to represent the
current workflow.
Consider what metrics you would use to determine the
effectiveness of the current workflow and identify areas of
waste.
To complete:
Write a 3- to 5-page paper which includes the following:
Create a simple flowchart of the activity you selected. (Review
the Sample Workflow of Answering a Telephone in an Office
document found in this week’s Learning Resources for an
example.)
Next, in your paper:
Explain the process you have diagrammed.
For each step or decision point in the process, identify the
following:
Who does this step? (It can be several people.)
What technology is used?
What policies and rules are involved in determining how, when,
why, or where the step is executed?

2. What information is needed for the execution of this step?
Describe the metric that is currently used to measure the
soundness of the workflow. Is it effective?
Describe any areas where improvements could occur and
propose changes that could bring about these improvements in
the workflow.
Summarize why it is important to be aware of the flow of an
activity.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2015).
Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge
(3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 14, “Nursing Informatics: Improving Workflow and
Meaningful Use”
This chapter reviews the reasons for conducting workflow
analysis and design. The author explains specific workflow
analysis and redesign techniques.
Huser, V., Rasmussen, L. V., Oberg, R., & Starren, J. B. (2011).
Implementation of workflow engine technology to deliver basic
clinical decision support functionality.
BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11
(1), 43–61.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
In this article, the authors describe an implementation of
workflow engine technology to support clinical decision
making. The article describes some of the pitfalls of
implementation, along with successful and future elements.
Koppel, R., & Kreda, D. A. (2010). Healthcare IT usability and
suitability for clinical needs: Challenges of design, workflow,
and contractual relations.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 157
, 7–14.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article points to many health information technology
designs and workflow decisions that limit their value and usage.

3. The authors also examine the structure of the conceptual
relationships between HIT vendors and the clinical facilities
that purchase HIT.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.b).
Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit
. Retrieved, June 18, 2012, from
http://healthit.ahrq.gov/portal/server.pt/community/health_it_to
ols_and_resources/919/workflow_assessment_for_health_it_tool
kit/27865
This article supplies a toolkit on the planning, design,
implementation, and use of health information technology. The
sections of the website provide a definition of workflow,
examples of workflow tools, related anecdotes, and research.
Remember to include a cover page, introduction, and summary
for your paper.