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Effort duration analysis

Effort duration analysis is an analytical tool that can be used to calculate the overall efficiency 

of a process when we have performed a detailed analysis such as that in Activity 11.2. To do 

this, we sum the average time it takes workers to complete every activity making up the over-

all process, then divide this by the total length of time the whole process takes to occur. The 

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Chapter 11  Analysis and design

Activity 11.2

Transforming invoice processing at a B2B company

Purpose

To illustrate how the flow process chart can be used to simplify a business process.

Background

Table 11.2 has been drawn up following observation of tasks performed during a sys-

tems analysis project at a B2B company. The main problem is the delay currently 

occurring when the MD has to authorise an invoice of £10,000. The company can 

obtain a discount of 10% if payment is made in 10 days. This is not achievable cur-

rently and the MD wants to use IT to make this possible. As part of this re-engineering, 

restructuring may be required also – the MD believes that fewer staff are needed for 

invoice payment.