10 Areas Where Asking the Right Questions Unlocks Efficiency
India’s freedom struggle was powered by one simple idea: question the way things are, and envision the way they should be.
In warehouses, inefficiencies often survive because no one stops to challenge “the way we’ve always done it.”
Here are 10 questions every warehouse leader should ask to break free from outdated processes, hidden waste, and operational bottlenecks.
1. Why do we still depend on paperwork for critical processes?
Paper-based GRNs, pick lists, and dispatch notes are slow, error-prone, and hard to track. Switching to digital workflows can reduce processing times and improve accuracy instantly.
2. Are our storage locations helping or hurting us?
If fast-moving SKUs are stored in the farthest racks, your team is walking miles unnecessarily every day. Dynamic slotting can cut travel time by over 30%.
3. Do we batch similar tasks—or treat every order the same?
Bulk picking for similar orders and wave picking for high-priority ones can save hours in a day. If you’re treating all orders equally, you’re losing efficiency.
4. Is our inventory accuracy above 98%?
If not, you’re carrying hidden costs—overstock, stockouts, and emergency reorders. Cycle counting and real-time inventory updates via a WMS can change the game.
5. Are we using the same picking strategy for all SKUs?
Fragile items, perishables, and bulky goods each need different picking and packing approaches. Challenging the “one-size-fits-all” mindset leads to fewer damages and faster processing.
6. Why do returns take as long as new orders?
Returns are not just a cost—they’re an opportunity. Streamlining RMA workflows and putting resalable stock back quickly improves cash flow and reduces waste.
7. Are our people doing repetitive work that a system could do?
Label printing, pick list generation, shipment routing—if humans are doing it manually, you’re losing time and increasing error risk.
8. Do we actually measure time-to-dispatch?
Most warehouses measure orders processed per day, but not how long an order sits before leaving. Monitoring this metric often reveals bottlenecks no one noticed before.
9. Are we paying for unused space?
Poor layout and stacking strategies can make a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse feel full at 30% utilization. Optimizing space can defer costly expansion plans.
10. Do our processes scale during peak demand—or break?
If your workflows collapse during festive rush or flash sales, they’re not future-ready. Flexible fulfillment strategies and automated order prioritization can fix this.
The Bottom Line:
Just like India’s independence leaders challenged unjust systems to create a better future, warehouse managers must question old habits to build lean, responsive, and profitable operations.
Freedom in warehousing starts with asking the right questions—and acting on the answers.