Microsoft SharePoint: One of the most widely adopted technologies of the past few years also may be one of your most effective productivity tools

There is no singular answer, but the continued increase of productivity certainly is a contributing factor.

Productivity can be measured by the ratio of an organization’s inputs (labor, materials, processes, systems, etc.) to its outputs (goods and services). The more effective an organization is at converting its inputs to outputs, the greater its productivity.

One way to gain productivity is to eliminate a subset of an organization’s labor pool; in other words, reducing the inputs while those remaining produce at or near the levels they did prior to the reduction. This tactic has been utilized extensively during the past two years, producing a high rate of joblessness.

Another method to improve productivity is to increase the outputs with the same or a different set of inputs. Training employees, implementing new equipment and technologies, and revamping processes can produce a higher proportion of outputs without changing the level of inputs.

One of the most widely adopted technologies of the past few years—Microsoft SharePoint—enables information workers to produce at a higher rate of productivity. While SharePoint possesses an abundance of features, its most compelling function, arguably, is its capability to automate workflows and streamline business processes.

SharePoint’s tools make it easy to visualize a workflow and give it life, automating non-value added decision points, alerting constituents, and providing process visibility to key stakeholders. Organizations using SharePoint to optimize workflows and business processes can quickly achieve an increase in output.

Since most organizations have SharePoint, the cost of purchasing the product – an input – has already been made. Although there are other inputs to be considered, these would be required with any workflow initiative undertaken, regardless of the tool used.

Streamlining workflows using SharePoint is the proverbial “low-hanging-fruit” when it comes to productivity gains—a way to increase outputs with a limited increase of inputs.

Learn how to improve your productivity with SharePoint workflows at WMP’s SharePoint Workflow Webinar on November 3, 2010. To register, please visit our event page or contact Jamie Story.