Workflow Diagnostics • Bottleneck Diagnosis • Practical Improvements

Why does your business feel understaffed… and overstaffed at the same time?

Hiring more people rarely fixes the real problem.

The bottleneck usually isn’t the people.
It’s the workflow.

Often the payroll you were about to add pays for the fix.

Before hiring another team member, let DECG find the bottleneck first.

Free 2-minute operational assessment

Example outcome: A workflow diagnostic uncovered hidden order-processing bottlenecks that were quietly delaying shipments and creating internal handoff confusion.

When operations start feeling harder than they should

Growth exposes workflow cracks that extra payroll usually cannot fix.

When daily operations begin to feel slower, heavier, or more chaotic than they should, teams often
assume the issue is people or effort. In reality, the problem is usually hidden somewhere in the
workflow. A DECG workflow diagnostic identifies where the process is breaking down and what is
creating unnecessary friction.

  • Processes that worked when you had 20 employees suddenly break at 80.
  • Teams chasing status updates instead of moving work forward.
  • Reports that don’t match what is actually happening on the floor.
  • Bottlenecks that move around instead of disappearing.
  • Software tools that promised efficiency but created more work.

Most of the time, these are not people problems. They are workflow design problems, handoff problems, visibility problems, or decision-making problems wearing a fake mustache and pretending to be staffing issues.

Who DECG typically works with:

  • Growing companies with roughly 25–250 employees
  • Operations leaders responsible for results across multiple teams
  • Organizations where growth has outpaced existing workflows
  • Teams struggling with visibility, coordination, or decision bottlenecks
Operations leaders reviewing workflows to identify bottlenecks and process friction
Vendor Neutral Solutions driven by workflows, not vendors
Data Driven Insights supported by real observation
Practical Solutions Recommendations designed for success
What DECG does

Operational efficiency consulting focused on workflow diagnostics

Digital Efficiency Consulting Group (DECG) is an operational efficiency consulting and workflow diagnostics firm that helps organizations save time and money by uncovering workflow bottlenecks, operational inefficiencies, and hidden process breakdowns that slow growth and reduce productivity.

Unlike many consulting firms that begin with strategy recommendations or software implementations, DECG starts by understanding how work actually moves through an organization. This workflow diagnostic approach reveals operational friction that often develops as companies grow and processes become more complex. If we don’t see a realistic opportunity to create value that exceeds the cost of the engagement, we’ll tell you before we start.

The examples below illustrate how workflow diagnostics translate into real operational improvements. Across industries and departments, these engagements uncovered the underlying causes of operational friction and implemented practical solutions that delivered measurable results.

Billing Services · Finance

A $1M System Replacement Was Avoided

A billing service supporting nearly 10,000 clients and more than 300 vendors had developed extremely complex billing logic over time. A large consulting firm evaluated the operation and recommended replacing the core system with a new platform designed to manage the complexity.

Before moving forward with the replacement, the company stepped back and brought in DECG to examine how the billing workflows actually operated. Once the process logic was analyzed, the real issue surfaced and the solution was far simpler than rebuilding the entire system.

Outcome:
The operational issue was resolved with roughly a $25K workflow fix, avoiding a $1M system replacement.

Manufacturing · Order Entry

Production Delays Weren’t a Staffing Problem

A growing manufacturing operation was experiencing production slowdowns and inconsistent throughput as demand increased. Leadership initially believed equipment limitations and staffing levels were responsible for the delays and they were looking at adding nearly $200k a year in payroll expenses.

DECG analyzed the workflow and revealed that the real constraint was how jobs were sequenced and handed off between departments.

Outcome:
Automated order entry system created which increased order efficiency and saved the company $200k annually all for less than $50k.

Read the case study →

Distribution · Warehouse Operations

Picking Errors Weren’t a Training Problem

A distributor carrying hundreds of products with multiple variations kept thousands of boxes in inventory. Products were labeled by type and variable, forcing pickers to read and interpret each label during picking.

The labeling complexity was slowing picking and causing frequent errors. Instead of changing staff or adding controls, DECG redesigned the storage logic using a simple aisle and bin numbering system tied directly to the pick ticket.

Outcome:
Picking efficiency increased 23% and errors dropped 42%. The entire system was implemented over a weekend for under $7K.

Manufacturing · Customer Onboarding

New Customers Were Falling Through the Cracks

A growing company relied on a single account manager to onboard new customers. Tracking was handled through paper notes and spreadsheets, making it difficult to monitor onboarding progress and follow-up tasks as customer volume increased.

DECG redesigned the onboarding workflow and built an interactive dashboard that tracked each new account by stage, surfaced when follow-ups were required, and automated several routine communication steps.

Outcome:
New account conversions increased 25%. The redesigned workflow was implemented in under 3 weeks for approximately $25K, while giving management real-time visibility into onboarding performance.

DECG Workflow Diagnostic Insight
If employees frequently ask for updates, the workflow likely lacks transparency.
How we work

A clear methodology for identifying workflow bottlenecks.

Led by an operations practitioner with 25 years improving workflows across manufacturing, distribution, and service organizations.

Most consulting engagements begin with strategy or organizational restructuring. Workflow diagnostics start somewhere different—by examining how work actually moves across teams, systems, and departments, and identifying opportunities for manufacturing process optimization.

Every engagement follows a clear methodology designed to uncover operational inefficiencies, quantify their impact, and produce practical recommendations your internal team can execute. See the full DECG process →

How Workflow Diagnostics Differs From Traditional Consulting

Feature
Traditional Consulting
DECG Workflow Diagnostics
Primary Focus
High-level strategy, org charts, and market positioning
The “plumbing” — how work moves across teams and systems
Starting Point
Top-down strategy assumptions and best-practice models
Bottom-up operational evidence from interviews and walkthroughs
Tool Bias
Often tied to specific software platforms
Vendor-neutral, focused on optimizing existing tools first
Deliverable
Strategy decks and long-term transformation roadmaps
A prioritized Efficiency Blueprint with measurable fixes
Cost Structure
Large upfront commitments for enterprise transformations
Phased engagements beginning with a focused diagnostic

How the Workflow Diagnostic Process Works

Once workflows are understood objectively, the engagement moves through a structured process designed to uncover constraints, quantify their impact, and translate operational observations into practical improvements. The stages below outline how workflow diagnostics turn real-world data into a clear Efficiency Blueprint your team can execute.

DISCOVER

Understand the Workflow

We begin by aligning with leadership on goals and success metrics, then observe how work actually flows across teams, systems, and departments. Interviews, walkthroughs, and data reviews reveal where delays, rework, and hidden inefficiencies occur.

ANALYZE

Analyze the Bottlenecks

Observations are translated into clear process maps and quantified findings. We identify the true constraints affecting performance and measure their impact in time, cost, and operational friction.

DELIVER

Deliver the Efficiency Blueprint

The final output is a vendor-neutral Efficiency Blueprint that prioritizes improvements, outlines expected impact, and provides a clear sequence of steps your internal team can follow.

Cross-Team Cross-team visibility restored
(GPS leadership alignment)
What people are saying

Leaders we’ve worked with, in their own words

A sample of the feedback David and Digital Efficiency Consulting Group receive from partners, clients, and industry leaders.

"I had the opportunity to work with David while leading CooperVision Specialty EyeCare for the Americas, and he quickly became someone we relied on during major integrations and large-scope initiatives. David has two standout strengths: operational clarity — he understands processes intuitively and can immediately identify where waste, delays, or unnecessary complexity exist — and project leadership. He knows when it’s time to gather input and when it’s time to call for a decision, which is an essential skill in a large organization. David brings insight, efficiency, and action to every project he touches. I would work with him again without hesitation — and others should, too."

Tony Sommer — CXO & Board Member, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare

"David consistently delivered high-impact solutions that improved how our teams operated. A great example was when he helped us rethink our order entry process. By taking a close look at how work was actually moving through the system, he helped us simplify the workflow, remove unnecessary steps, and significantly improve efficiency across the team. What stood out most was his ability to understand not just individual processes, but how operations, sales, marketing, education, and training all connect. That cross-functional awareness allowed him to identify improvements that benefited the entire organization, not just one department. His attention to detail and commitment to meaningful improvement made all the difference. Any organization working with David through DECG can expect thoughtful analysis, actionable recommendations, and a genuine dedication to making your processes better."

Rich Jeffries — President, CVS - GP Specialists

"I’ve had the privilege of working with David across multiple respected organizations over the years, and his impact has been consistent and exceptional. David has a rare ability to transform outdated processes into efficient, scalable systems that improve both the customer and internal team experience. One example was when he reviewed our QA process, which at the time relied heavily on paper forms and manual data entry. David helped redesign the workflow and introduce a scanning-based process that eliminated much of the manual handling of paperwork. The result was a much more efficient system that reduced technician time spent on data entry by nearly 10% while improving how information moved through the organization. His strategic thinking, attention to detail, and natural talent for simplifying complexity make him an invaluable partner in any operational improvement initiative. David consistently brings forward creative, cost-saving solutions and approaches challenges with thoughtful analysis and a deep understanding of business needs. Beyond his operational expertise, David is someone I trust implicitly. His integrity, collaborative spirit, and genuine care for helping organizations succeed are unmatched. Any organization working with David through DECG will benefit from his vision, experience, and commitment to meaningful improvement."

Mark Cosgrove — Owner & Vice President, Specialty Vision Consultants

Who we are

Workflow diagnostics for growing organizations.

Digital Efficiency Consulting Group provides workflow diagnostics that uncover operational inefficiencies, map real-world workflows, and deliver objective recommendations their teams can implement.

Our work focuses on companies where growth begins to expose friction in processes,
coordination, and operational visibility.

With 25 years of experience working inside operations, DECG helps leadership teams understand what is actually happening inside their business, not just what is written in a SOP. When workflows improve internally, the benefits often extend outward as well, reducing friction for customers and improving the overall experience they have with your organization.

While our clients come from a variety of industries, the common thread is growth. As organizations scale, the processes that once worked begin to show strain, creating bottlenecks, coordination issues, and unnecessary friction across teams.

DECG helps leadership teams identify those hidden bottlenecks and redesign workflows so operations scale with the business rather than slowing it down.

Learn more about Digital Efficiency Consulting Group →

David Carneal, founder of Digital Efficiency Consulting Group

David Carneal, Founder

Digital Efficiency Consulting Group

Still seeing workflow friction in your business?

Most operational slowdowns are not staffing problems. They are workflow design problems hiding inside handoffs, approvals, and disconnected systems. Start with the quick diagnostic or schedule a complimentary discovery call to talk through what you're seeing.

Schedule a Discovery Call

The discovery call is complimentary and there is no obligation. If we do not believe we can uncover improvements that outweigh the cost of our work, we will tell you before anything begins.

Process Complexity Calculator
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Evaluate how structural complexity inside a workflow may be contributing to delays, coordination friction, and execution breakdowns.

This quick operational tool analyzes approvals, systems, handoffs, and exceptions to estimate the structural complexity of a workflow.

What to expect
• Takes about 60 seconds
• Evaluates several operational factors
• Produces a complexity score and dashboard
Process Context
Workflow Structure
Process Stability
Get Your Results
Enter your details and we’ll send you a copy of your workflow complexity results.
Process Complexity Results
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Overall Score
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Approvals
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Handoffs
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Documentation
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