Tech Forum to-go: Building a better publishing workflow: Recommendations from the BISG

.@BookNet_Canada highlights four takeaways from the #TechForum presentation, Building a better publishing workflow: Recommendations from the BISG.
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Welcome to a new instalment of the Tech Forum to-go blog series where we put past sessions back on the menu. Today’s special is the 2020 presentation Building a better publishing workflow: Recommendations from the BISG.

Building a better publishing workflow: Recommendations from the BISG

Back in 2020, when Tech Forum was in the midst of pivoting its programming from in-person to online, we had the pleasure of hosting Brian O'Leary from the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) for a presentation about the work the BISG’s workflow committee had been doing since its formation in 2018, including the creation of a published white paper that outlined opportunities, challenges, and best practices related to improving publishing workflows.

Join us as we recap Brian’s presentation and share four key takeaways.

1. Workflows can make or break organizations and the supply chain

As Brian puts it, workflows are “the combined impact of decisions that are made about (…) processes, tools or technologies, structure and people.” The connection between these aspects is so intertwined that when one of them fails or goes through changes, the others feel the impact.

It’s no secret that in the publishing industry, organizations and the supply chain as a whole, have issues with ineffective, expensive, and fractured workflows. As a result, companies are:

• losing revenue and opportunities;

• having a hard time escalating to support digital; and

• creating tailored-to-their-needs, inconsistent workflows that have a negative impact on the supply chain.

2. Workflows can and should be improved

As Brian says here, workflows determine how companies operate and compete. And after the challenges the pandemic brought, adjusting and improving workflows should be even more top of mind.

With the aim to help resolve the issues publishing has around workflows, the BISG created Fixing the Flux, a white paper that includes workflow definitions, recommended best practices, and more.

3. There are steps companies can take to start improving their workflows

Fixing the Flux includes a seven-step guide to improving publishing workflows.

1. Making workflows visible — This includes drawing maps, setting the start and end dates, determining activities and deliverables, creating supporting documentation, and communicating with other departments or companies about the changes you’re planning on implementing and when.

2. Share maps, pictures, and flows — Sharing internally the resources created above will help companies improve cross-segment efficiency and understanding of the workflows.

3. Talk — Thinking of the maps as a starting point that will help ignite conversations where successes and pain points can be identified, allowing the workflow to be constantly improved is key in an ever-evolving industry.

4. Ask open-ended questions — Test your understanding and question your processes to determine the root causes of the issues in the workflow.

5. Explore options as broadly as possible — Use research proactively and talk with solution providers and colleagues at other companies to find out what they’re doing differently and what you can learn from their experiences.

6. Promote meaningful use of standards — Recognizing that the supply chain is interconnected is the first step to using standards in a way that supports the whole market, including your company.

7. Regularly re-evaluate workflow improvements — Continuous improvement is key to developing and maintaining effective workflows. Defining the changes, problems, or opportunities, as well as measuring outcomes, helps understand what is happening and identify areas for improvement.

4. Challenges are part of the process and can be overcome

In this part of the presentation, Brian goes over some common challenges that prevent or make it more difficult for organizations to improve workflows. From coordinating multiple parties and teams to fixating on the local problems and not the big picture, these challenges are very likely to happen but should be acknowledged and planned for. With communication, collaboration, resources, and persistence they can be overcome. In fact, Brian shares six recommendations that help build and improve workflows easier.

Watch the full session below

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