Local Government Decreases Permit Application Processing Time By 35% With GLSS
Texas
Government
Operations
35%
PROJECT SUMMARY
- Business Case: Improve customer expectation and professional appreciation
- Root Cause Analysis:
- Delay in response from City Engineer
- Response time from the planner
- Lack of a common understanding of the permitting process
- Solutions Implemented:
- Continuous process review for common understanding of process
- Increase accountability at DRC membership meetings
- Project Result: Reduced permit processing time by 35%
Across the country, local governments face increasing resource constraints while being challenged to provide more and better services. How can any resource-limited government agency fulfill its responsibilities and provide the highest level of service? By evolving into a community of problem solvers dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Our online Lean Six Sigma training offers a straightforward solution for local governments aiming to cut costs, boost efficiency, and improve residents’ quality of life. For example, our user-friendly and streamlined courses helped this government agency reduce permit processing time by 35%.
Getting permits processed quickly and efficiently is crucial for our community. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting to renovate your kitchen or a business looking to expand, waiting too long for permits can be frustrating and costly. That’s why this project focused on decreasing permit application processing time.Â
Before they could fix the problem, this team had to understand what was causing the delays in the first place. They discovered three main issues:
- Delay in response from the City Engineer: The City Engineer often had a backlog of tasks, making it hard to respond to permit applications quickly.
- Response time from the Planner: Similar to the City Engineer, the Planning Department also faced delays in reviewing and responding to applications.
- Lack of a common understanding of the permitting process: Different departments had varying interpretations of the permit process, leading to confusion and inconsistent processing times.
To tackle these problems, they implemented several key solutions:
- Continuous Process Review: They started regularly reviewing our permitting process to ensure everyone involved had a clear and common understanding. This helped eliminate misunderstandings and streamline the process.
- Increased Accountability at DRC Meetings: They prioritized holding Development Review Committee (DRC) members accountable for their roles in the permit process. Regular meetings were set up to track progress and address any issues promptly.
The changes implemented brought about remarkable improvements:
- Reduced Processing Time by Over 35%: By addressing the root causes and streamlining the process, they managed to cut down the time it takes to issue permits by more than a third. This means faster approvals and less waiting time for everyone involved.
- Improved Communication: The regular meetings and reviews fostered better communication between DRC members. Now, everyone is on the same page, leading to more efficient processing and fewer delays.
- Increased Professionalism: The community has noticed the improvements. The increased efficiency and better communication have boosted the perceived professionalism of their team. People appreciate the timely and organized way they now handle permit applications.
This project to decrease permit application processing time has been a great success, and we’re proud of the positive impact it’s had. By identifying and addressing the root causes of delays, they’ve not only sped up the process but also improved communication and professionalism within their team and in the eyes of the community.
This team committed to maintaining these improvements and continuing to find ways to serve the community better.Â
This example demonstrates how GLSS Training & Certification can help you solve challenging problems and create a culture of continuous improvement.
