Straight-through processing

Straight-through processing, end-to-end.

STP is about more than putting a workflow tool on top of a messy process. We help you design the process so work moves cleanly from request to completion with minimal manual handling—and then implement automation that fits.

Request an STP opportunity review See example results
Illustration of an end-to-end process pipeline moving from manual to automated.

What STP looks like in practice.

Every organization has its own systems and constraints. The pattern for straight-through processing is consistent:

  • Clear, standardized intake that captures the right information once.
  • Decision rules and validations that match how the work really happens.
  • System-to-system hand-offs without re-keying or hidden spreadsheets.
  • Exceptions routed to the right people with context and deadlines.
  • Visibility into where work is, in language your operators recognize.

From first touch to completion.

  • Standardized intake replaces ad-hoc email and forms.
  • Business rules drive routing, validations, and auto-approvals.
  • Data flows into core systems without duplicate entry.
  • Exceptions are surfaced as a managed queue, not buried in mailboxes.
  • Outcomes and cycle times are tracked end-to-end for continuous improvement.

Where STP fits best.

STP is powerful, but not every process should be fully automated. We work with you to find the sweet spot.

  • High volume and repeatable work patterns.
  • Clear business rules—or the ability to define them.
  • Significant hand-offs where items can stall or go missing.
  • Frequent re-keying across tools and systems.
  • Enough pain that fixing it will matter to your teams and customers.

What we typically see as strong STP candidates:

  • Intake and triage flows for shared services or case management.
  • Multi-step approvals with clearly defined thresholds.
  • Back-office processing with consistent data requirements.
  • Simple claims, requests, or changes where 70–90% follow the “happy path”.
How we work

A practical STP engagement model.

Four stages that keep the process in front, technology aligned, and operations leaders in the loop.

1. Discover

Understand reality, not just the documented process

We map the flow, volumes, rules, and exceptions with the people who live it every day.

  • Quick current-state mapping sessions with operators.
  • Data pulls to quantify where work waits or re-cycles.
  • “Good candidate for STP?” checklist applied step-by-step.
2. Design

Define a straight-through process that fits

We redesign intake, routing, rules, and exception paths so the process can actually run hands-off where it should.

  • Future-state process design with clear decision logic.
  • Exception handling and ownership defined by role.
  • Data requirements aligned with your systems, not a textbook.
3. Build & implement

Implement automation with the right tools

We work with your platforms (workflow, RPA, low-code, bespoke) to implement the design in small, tested increments.

  • Configuration and integration support with your teams and vendors.
  • Operator-friendly testing and validation.
  • Change impacts planned around real workloads.
4. Stabilize

Make straight-through the new normal

The job isn’t done when go-live happens. We help stabilize and tune the process so performance holds up.

  • Early-life support and defect / exception triage.
  • Control plan, dashboards, and ownership defined.
  • Improvement backlog prioritized for the next wave.

What changes when STP is working.

The story is simple: less friction, fewer errors, more predictable operations.

0%
Cycle time reduction on targeted flows
0%
Fewer manual touches for STP candidates
0%
More volume handled with existing capacity

Why process-first matters.

Automating a bad process makes it fail faster and more quietly. A process-first approach gives your people confidence that the automation supports their work instead of fighting it.

  • Operators see their reality reflected in the design.
  • Leaders get metrics that tie directly to business outcomes.
  • Technology teams build against clear, stable requirements.

Not sure if a workflow is really a good candidate for STP?

Request an STP opportunity review See the STP readiness checklist