Why Your Team Keeps Using Workarounds (And What to Do About It)

You invested in systems that should handle everything, but Emma still has her own spreadsheet. Tom emails himself reminders instead of using the task system. These are not lazy habits. They are signals that your official processes have gaps.

Workarounds are information

People create workarounds because the official way does not meet their needs. It might be too slow, too complicated, or missing something important. Workarounds are rational responses to imperfect systems.

Instead of forcing compliance, ask why the workaround exists. What does it provide that the official system doesn't? That question often reveals exactly what needs fixing.

Fixing the root cause

Sometimes the fix is training. People don't know the system can do what they need. Sometimes it is configuration. The feature exists but is not set up right. And sometimes it requires building something new to fill a genuine gap.

The goal is systems that people actually want to use because they make work easier. Compliance through force never lasts.