Systems audits – A fresh reset for your business

As days turn to weeks and eventually months, your systems will gather digital detritus. Whether it's inaccurate data, process workarounds, or even unnecessary files, this will build and clog your business.

The end of 2024 is nearing, and now is the best time to clean up your business so you can hit the ground running in January. Here’s what we suggest you do before the end of the year.

Review

To start, you need to zoom out to see the whole picture. It might be daunting, but it allows you to scope out the low hanging fruit. Once these are fixed, a positive momentum will build in your business. Ask your team how they use the systems, what personal feedback they have and any suggestions they can offer. Audit your data, note any discrepancies and understand the data flow. There may be room for human error, and when there's room for human error, human error will occur. These errors will compound, causing major problems down the road.

Scrutinise

Now you have a better understanding of your current position, it’s time to drill into the nitty gritty.

• Do you need each piece of software you use?
• Are there subscriptions that you aren’t using?

These are all forms of digital detritus. Keep digging.

• Are the systems serving the business?
• Is there an opportunity to train your staff to better utilise them?

The main point here is to question everything. If "this is just the way we've always done it" enters the equation, push it to one side and ask why.

Act

It’s one thing to notice and scrutinise issues in your business, but if you aren’t going to act on them, what’s the point? Tick each item off and build momentum – the fresh start in the new year can be the light at the end of the tunnel.

If you start now, this can simmer in the background and prepare you for the new year. In these kinds of situations though, a fresh pair of eyes helps. Someone who has been there, done it, got the T-shirt.