Suppose my boss asked me to complete a task, and the standard method takes a week of my time. But I did some research and I found another method, which only takes a day, but is equally good!
How would I refer to this without sounding like I cut corners? "Finding a shortcut", for example, might imply laziness.
In terms of quality management, the desired result is achieved more efficiently.
The term efficiency is defined as ‘relationship between the result achieved and the resources used’.
Perhaps honed the process
[WITH OBJECT] Refine or perfect (something) over a period of time: she has taken numerous workshops to hone her skills over the years
Oxford Dictionaries Online
You are now being more Productive. Your Productivity has increased.
Productivity can be defined as a measure of the efficiency of a person, machine, factory, system, etc., in converting inputs into useful outputs.
So for your example, if the standard or normal time to complete the task is five days (assuming a five day working week) and you have completed the task in one day: Your personal productivity for this task is %500 or alternatively you could say you have achieved a five-fold increase in productivity for the stated task.
And you now have an additional line for your CV.
INNOVATE verb: innovate; 3rd person present: innovates; past tense: innovated; past participle: innovated; gerund or present participle: innovating
make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. "the company's failure to diversify and innovate competitively"
•introduce (something new, especially a product).
INNOVATION
Innovation is a new idea, device or process. Innovation can be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulated needs, or existing market needs. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets, governments and society. The term innovation can be defined as something original and more effective and, as a consequence, new, that "breaks into" the market or society.
