Process Over Performance

... is what was applied when the Coast Guard would not allow oil-sucking barges to leave the dock because they hadn't been checked for life preservers and fire extinguishers. Had performance been the key, the Coast Guard would have simply thrown a bunch of life vests and fire extinguishers onto the barges as they pulled out.

At my work, process has become the graven image that we worship and process improvement our sacred text. We have the same results as the Coast Guard. Work grinds to a halt as we have to stop and describe the processes by which we do our jobs. Then we have to describe the processes by which we would train others to do our jobs. We're no longer concerned with what we do, but only with how we do it.

In the meantime, work goes undone or barges sit tied to the dock all so we can follow proper process.

Oh sure, the boxes are checked, but did you check them in the right order?