Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

How AT&T Employees Turned Process Gripes Into $230 Million Saved

Mar 18, 2024 - sloanreview.mit.edu
AT&T has implemented a strategy called "Project Raindrops" to eliminate outdated processes and tools that waste time, energy, and money. The term "raindrop" refers to any policy, process, or tool that hinders the organization's progress. Over the past three and a half years, this initiative has saved 3.6 million hours and avoided more than $230 million in costs. The project was inspired by an annual employee survey, the challenges of COVID-19, and a companywide initiative to consolidate and update systems and networks.

The company's struggle with bureaucracy is attributed to its long history dating back to 1885 and its operation in highly regulated industries. Project Raindrops began in the summer of 2020 when a small group of employees volunteered to drive the initiative. The project has led to a shift in the company culture, with more employees questioning why certain processes are in place and seeking more efficient ways of working.

Key takeaways:

  • AT&T has developed an approach called 'raindrops' to identify and eliminate outdated processes and tools that waste time, energy, and money.
  • The initiative has saved the company 3.6 million hours and helped avoid more than $230 million in costs over three and a half years.
  • The concept of 'raindrops' was born out of an annual employee survey revealing frustration with the company’s tools, processes, and systems, and the need to work differently due to COVID-19.
  • Jeremy Legg, the CTO of AT&T, led the Project Raindrops which began in the summer of 2020 with a small group of employees.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!