Good Business Processes Are Clear, Not Complicated

I spotted this on the wall of my local coffee shop.

It shows all the different coffee options, broken down into the same basic ingredients: coffee, water, milk and froth.

Same ingredients.

Different combinations.

Zero confusion.

No one needs to ask, “What’s the difference between a flat white and a latte?”

The wall does the thinking.

And that’s exactly what good processes do.

They don’t add complexity. They remove it.

In this coffee shop, nothing is left to assumption. You don’t need insider knowledge, you don’t need to remember anything and you don’t need to interrupt someone who’s already busy. The information you need is visible and explicit.

This is where a lot of business processes quietly fall apart.

Not because people aren’t capable or motivated, but because too much is left in someone’s head. Hidden steps. Unspoken assumptions. Tiny decisions that everyone thinks someone else is handling.

Over time, those small gaps create friction, rework and constant interruption. People stop to ask questions, work gets slowed down and the same issues keep popping back up.

Good processes don’t need to be complicated.

They don’t need clever frameworks or over-engineered systems. They just need to be clear enough that everyone gets it.

When the structure is visible, people can get on with their work without second-guessing or chasing answers. Decisions become easier, interruptions reduce and everything feels calmer.

Sometimes the best process inspiration isn’t found in a boardroom or a slide deck.

It’s on the wall of a coffee shop, quietly doing its job.