Examples.

For anything that waits in someone’s inbox for a yes.

The problem

Purchases, holiday requests, expenses and new starters get stuck because nobody knows who needs to say yes.

For example

A £40 printer cartridge is approved in minutes, not a week.

How we fix it

Requests go to the right person with reminders. Small ones (say, under £100) are approved on their own.

How we’d know it’s working

How long it takes to get an answer, and how many requests got stuck.

For information that is typed in more than once.

The problem

The same details get typed into a form, a spreadsheet and the accounts, and the copies don’t match.

For example

A new supplier’s VAT number looks wrong, so it’s flagged before it reaches the accounts.

How we fix it

One form that checks for mistakes, then sends the details everywhere.

How we’d know it’s working

How much double typing is gone, and how many records needed fixing later.

For paperwork that has to look right and reach the right people.

The problem

Reports are put together by hand, checked by eye and emailed one by one.

For example

The monthly sales report goes to four people. One email bounces, so it’s resent and you’re told.

How we fix it

Filled in from data you already have, with your logo, approved by a person if needed, then sent.

How we’d know it’s working

How quickly reports go out, and how many needed fixing after sending.

For teams who plan work and send people to do it.

The problem

Jobs are planned in one place, done in another and confirmed from memory.

For example

Tomorrow’s nine jobs go to the right phones. The one with a clash comes to you.

How we fix it

Each job reaches the right person, and the office knows when it’s done without a phone call.

How we’d know it’s working

How many jobs are finished the same day, and time spent chasing updates.

For the copying people do between two apps.

The problem

Someone has to copy details from one app into another, because the two don’t link up.

For example

A website booking appears in your customer list and calendar, with no retyping.

How we fix it

Details are typed once and copied everywhere. If something fails to copy, you’re told.

How we’d know it’s working

Hours spent copying between apps, and how many details didn’t match.

For checks that have to be done in person, point by point.

The problem

Paper checklists can be ticked without actually being next to the thing being checked, and reports get written days later.

For example

A pest-control technician scans 24 rat boxes and records each one. This is the first app we’re building.

How we fix it

Each point has a QR code. Staff scan it with a phone app that works without signal, and the report is built from their answers.

How we’d know it’s working

How many checks were confirmed, and how soon the customer gets their report after the job.