When the Operative Word is "System"

It’s been quite a while since I posted one of my entries. These past few weeks were quite stressful and yet, just as rewarding.

In preparation for our company’s ISO audit, I was appointed as a process owner — responsible for designing, analyzing and documenting critical process flows in our company. I was put in charge of the company’s Academy, and several technical processes. I coordinated with employees from different levels, staff and managers alike. I would conduct meetings for more than 12 straight hours, for maybe a couple of days, and I still have to stay past midnight in the office to finish the documentation. I was so stressed that I can’t even afford to laugh, even when it’s my boss who’s cracking the joke, even when everyone else is laughing.

I don’t know why I should be the one doing these things at all. I’m a junior in this company, and I’m a noob to the system. To make things worse, many of the processes are done with no solid policies, no  documentation, no coordination, no way of checking. So, in short, there is no defined system to analyze, at least for most parts that were assigned to me. 

This afternoon, a colleague thanked me for dedicating my time and energy on this project that we are currently on, and asked why I am putting so much effort and dedication especially on this project. This may be the same reason why I voted last election.

I always have something to rant about our company’s current system (to be more specific, the internal clients that we have). The processes are mediocre. The workload is uneven. If something goes wrong, it’s every man for himself. For crying out loud, I was forced to install a server while I was out of the country! There are no clearly defined rules that will protect us from exploitation.

The thing is, I can rant forever and blame every single person that I can find. But the problem, as in most cases, is not the people, but the system–the culture itself.

Just like what’s going on with the government. We know that the system is horrible, and no matter how many politicians we put in power, it’s not going to improve enough on-time.

I can complain to our HR. I can join the activists. I can argue my lungs out for all I care, but it does NOT change the fact that I didn’t do anything to change the system that I detest so much. And even if I can change it, what are the odds that I’ll be given the chance to?

So, who am I, then, to complain?

Well, whadya know, I got my lucky break. 

This is why I am putting my heart to what I’m doing. This is my chance to bring system in my own workplace. I can design processes and establish policies to become the backbone of everything we do, so that we don’t end up working our brains out or do any more of the senseless “my-word-against-yours” arguments. This is my chance to help scrutinize AND solve the problem. So I leave the ranting to the cry-babies– as for me, I will do something. I’ll make the difference that I want to see. I will become my own hero.

Isip, bago kilos. Kilos, bago salita…

So..wtf have you done lately…