Determine productivity measures using business process images

Abstract

Time studies have long been one of the only means of obtaining data for use of analysing a business process. However useful this tool has been in the past, using only time draining, primitive stop-watch based time studies have seemed to run its course and it has surely become necessary to make use of available technology to further analysis of business productivity measures. Image analysis has been used in the past to not only predict weather patterns and position of stars and planets, but also with success in the fields of bio-informatics to analyse genes. If it is possible to analyse small entities like genes, as well as planet bodies millions of kilometres away, why not try and use some of these same techniques in business? This document provides a basic outline of how an image can be described, as well as examples of techniques that can be used to divert an image to either mathematical or graphical metrics. A basic timeline and project plan will also accompany the document to give the reader a sense of when to expect which deliverables. Accompanying this project plan will be explanations of how image analysis is used in other disciplines. The aim of this project is to see whether it is possible and plausible to measure various productivity levels using image analysis and afterwards using the obtained data as input to successfully calculate performance indicators important in the industry of managing productivity such as throughput and inventory levels. The research into the application of using business process images to determine productivity measures will be proven to have a valid place in the industry as a practical and beneficial methodology, using available technology to improve not only the way that business is done, but allowing for radical change in the small to medium business sector, giving more business owners the advantage of using methods that are not only less tedious, but can be shared with the industry to benefit all. As a whole, this dissertation provides the platform from which not only further research can be done to illustrate the necessity of an alternative technique to determine productivity measures, but gives the reader insight into software that may be applicable in developing the above-mentioned technique of determining productivity measures by using business process images.