Rationalise

The reduction in resources and/or efforts to achieve an outcome. Analysing and evaluating a work process can help identify areas for improvement, especially in the efficiency of an activity, but there may also be a pressing need to reduce costs and reduce the quality of outcomes, especially where the continued output of a very high quality exceeds the needs of the marketplace. Rationalising resources and efforts can lead to a product that is more fit for purpose, without unnecessary inputs in meeting market requirements. An example within the grounds care industry is that of producing a sports turf surface to higher than expected or required standards, yet still within the range expected of a surface and meeting the needs of users. The additional efforts and attention to detail does not increase the financial return or sustainability of a surface, only increases inputs and costs and diverts valuable resources away from other areas of work which would better benefit from the unnecessary inputs being applied to exceed expectations and needs. Where resources where unlimited then this would be of little consequence, but few, if any, organisations have unlimited resources. Rationalising within a workplace can lead to staff reductions, but also the redeployment of staff allowing them to focus better on other activities to improve the quality of a product or other products.