Procedure obsolescence: what it is and what it means

Procedure obsolescence is the process by which a company procedure stops matching the operational reality of the business. It shows up in two forms: noisy obsolescence, signaled by obvious errors and recurring complaints, and silent obsolescence, in which people have stopped consulting the document and work from memory without raising visible alarms. Silent obsolescence is more dangerous because it sends no immediate signals.

Distinctive: silent obsolescence
Distinctive: work from memory
Essential: stops matching the operational reality
Essential: sends no immediate signals
Constant: obvious errors and recurring complaints

Glossary

Procedure obsolescence

The process by which a company procedure stops matching operational reality, in a noisy form (visible errors) and a silent form (tacit abandonment).