The timeline depends on the scope of the workflow, the number of teams involved, and how much operational complexity exists inside the process. Smaller workflows can sometimes be mapped and analyzed within a few days, while cross-department processes may take several weeks.
The diagnostic phase typically involves interviews with team members, workflow walkthroughs, step-by-step process mapping, and review of how decisions, approvals, handoffs, and systems interact within the workflow.
For complex workflows, the time is often spent understanding exceptions and edge cases. These are the situations where the documented process does not match reality, and they often reveal the bottlenecks, rework, delays, or coordination problems that create operational friction.
The goal is not speed alone. The objective is to build a clear understanding of how work actually moves through the company so improvement decisions are based on evidence rather than assumptions.
