Using the APQC PCF© to Support Cost Reduction and Strategic Resource Allocation

At rapid-speed, FHL Bank San Francisco uncovered where to simplify, streamline, and reallocate resources by leveraging what it already had—its internal inventories of technology, business-critical activities, risks and controls, and suppliers. Using the APQC Process Classification Framework© (PCF) as a unifying structure, the team aligned data across siloed functions to reveal which processes were over- or under-resourced and where the greatest impact could be achieved.

This structured, data-driven approach allowed leadership to focus efforts where they mattered most, avoiding broad organizational disruption while delivering measurable efficiency gains. The project produced actionable insights, improved transparency, and created shared understanding among stakeholders, enabling faster, more confident decision-making.

Participants learned how to:

• Identify which inventories of resources already exist in their organization, and which functions maintain those inventories.
• Use the PCF to determine which areas / functions of their organization are over- or under-resourced and apply a structured, evidence-based process to guide prioritization.
• Document supporting data points and business cases for resource re-allocation to drive cost efficiencies and/or revenue generation.

The session included a brief case study and hands-on exercise using worksheets to help participants apply the approach within their own organizations and identify areas with the highest potential for improvement.