An Enhanced Workflow Reengineering Methodology For Smes

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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65

The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

An Enhanced Workflow Reengineering Methodology for SMEs

Jamaiah H. Yahaya and Syafrani Fithri


School of Computer Science, Faculty of Information Science and Technology,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600
Selangor, Malaysia
jhy@ftsm.ukm.my, sfithri23@gmail.com

Aziz Deraman
Department of Computer Science, Faculty Science and Technology,
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu,
Terengganu, Malaysia

Associate Fellow, Research Centre of Software Technology & Management,


Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
a.d@umt.edu.my

ABSTRACT human resources as well as an increase in


level of customer service. The case study
Business process reengineering (BPR) is not shows the proposed enhanced WRM is
just the program of business process appropriate and practical for SMEs.
improvement, but it improves the operations
of the business process as a whole. KEYWORDS
Workflow Reengineering Methodology
(WRM) is comprehensive, covering the Workflow Reengineering Methodology
process improvement effort from the (WRM), Business process reengineering
identification of a need for change to the (BPR), architecture design, SME,
final implementation and maintenance of the conceptual model
improved workflow. Our research has
proposed an enhanced methodology of 1 INTRODUCTION
WRM to suit small and medium enterprise
(SME). A conceptual model of BPR for
Nowadays the business environment has
SMEs has been proposed and applied in a
case study collaborated with a cargo become so fiercely competitive that it
company di Malaysia. The architecture of needs strong relationships between the
the integrated system was designed to proof customers and leading production,
the practicality of the model specifically for manufacturing, and service companies.
SMEs environment. In this case study, the Unfortunately, many such companies are
priorities of the company were the still experiencing various problems for
improvement in administration, customer their competitiveness in the world
services and operations divisions. market and fulfilling customers’
Improvement of the operation in these three demands. This phenomenon occurs
divisions was implemented by introducing a because of several reasons. The first
computerized system that focuses on the
reason is when the companies are not
improvements in the effectiveness of the
speed of processing time, cost efficiency and well prepared to face rapidly changing

51
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

technologies and the high pace of information security. It is important to


product development. The second reason streamline and automate processes in
arises when companies cannot control order to improve efficiency and reduce
resource utilization, inventory level, and operating cycle times. According to [6]
system performance. The third reason is ideally, during re-engineering, processes
that error rates of customer order should be built from scratch based on
fulfillment are high and their inquiries evolving business needs, changing
are ignored for long time. These market conditions, as well as innovations
management problems can lead to high in technology. This helps avoid
turnover of the staff and loss of money. disruption of organizational operations
It can be observed that this critical and allows for more flexible time
situation threatens the survival of the constraints during implementation.
companies despite restructuring and Several compromises must be made
downsizing. It reflects the fact that the during this re-design.
traditional methodology of improvement
programs, such as restructuring, 2 OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS
downsizing, rationalization, and PROCESS REENGINEERING (BPR)
automation, have not been able to solve
the system performance problems in the 2.1 BPR in the Face of Competition
companies concerned.
BPR is known as a way to achieve
The main objective of business process competitive advantage in business. This
re-engineering is to radically redesign approach was experienced by Wrigley,
business organizations to achieve an American company, to re-engineer
dramatic improvements in order to make their IT infrastructure. This company
more efficient business processes, made the improvements in boarding
improve quality and shorten the time for arrangements, customer service, and
making decisions [1]. Furthermore it will productivity. By implementing the BPR,
increase customer satisfaction and the company managed to achieve the
improve usability of knowledge in the advantages of Wrigley's
organisations [4][5]. Firms have been re- competitiveness. This has been proved
engineered in various business functions by the fact that an excess of
for years, ranging from customer competitiveness in boarding, handling
relationship management to order customer service, qualities and
fulfillment, and from assembly lines to productivity achieved a minimum low
logistics [2]. score [7].

BPR could also be at risk when a large 2.2 An Airline’s Cargo Handling
enterprise acquires small fast-growing Process
companies to power its own growth
engine [6]. Integration of business A previous project involving airline
processes across distributed cargo at an international airport was
organizations with different cultures studied and reviewed. The company was
requires careful planning and involves improved by taking up a BPR technique
process automation, globalization, with a view to achieve the following
system selection, downsizing, and objectives:

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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

i. To improve the cargo services; 2.4 Workflow Reengineering Method


ii. To shift to the automatic or semi-
automatic system from the American companies and government
manual system if it exists; agencies alike are striving to improve,
iii. To re-think on adopting modern streamline, and automate their business
or updated concepts and methods practices to adjust to the rigorous
of air cargo handling processes demands of a highly volatile,
used in freight services; marketplace, saving financial resources
iv. To reduce clerical assignments as and manpower reductions. This research
much as possible; was conducted using workflow data
v. To re-design and develop gathered from the Port Hueneme
elective methods to exchange Division of the Naval Surface Warfare
required information and data as Center (PHD NSWC). The workflow
fast as possible; methodology consists of five phases and
vi. To reduce total time taken for 32 component steps with associated data
completing export shipment collection forms. In this study a
operations starting from the truck thorough review on structured
unloading point on the ground to methodologies available for enabling
loading into the aircraft. BPR through the use of workflow
There are several ways to improve management automation was conducted.
processes and make them better, faster
and cheaper. Efforts to improve The Workflow Reengineering
processes must be fact-based. It means Methodology promises to be a
process improvements should be based methodology that can be used with
on systematic observation and collection supporting workflow automation to
of quantitative data which will allow to improve an organisation’s business
focus on major problems and then to processes. This methodology is believed
eliminate wastes. In other words, a could achieve the following: increased
standard method is needed to identify the productivity, heightened competitive
areas that need to be broken, reduced advantage, reduced costs, increase
and “fixed-refixed” [8]. communications, improve process
control, reduce manpower and support
2.3 The Distribution Theory of for process reengineering [10]. However,
Innovation in BPR the methodology used by Bitzer in his
research was not applicable to all
Another study done in BPR and domains and predicted size. Of 32 steps,
reviewed was a case study conducted in there are only 19 steps which are
University of Turku. This study appropriate for small and medium
described the process reengineering enterprises. The methodology chosen in
human resource management related to our research will be explained in the
organizing the teaching and other duties next section
in the university academic program
using the diffusion of innovation theory 2.5 BPR Tools and Techniques
[9].
An attempt has been made here to
review the literature on modeling

53
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

techniques and analysis used in BPR. enterprise is considered to be the engine


Gunasekaran & Kobu has presented the of economic growth and employment.
review of the most recent (between 1993 Thus new, improved and innovative
and 2000) literature on BPR modeling products are very significantly important
tools and techniques. The classification [12]. Therefore, this reflects the
of the literature on modeling and improvement of the processes
analysis of BPR is based on major underlying the SMEs operations. In this
tools/techniques used that include: (i) research we explore and propose the new
conceptual models, (ii) simulation enhanced workflow re-engineering
models, (iii) object oriented models, (iv) methodology for SMEs to produce an
integration definition (IDEF) models, (v) integrated processes and workflow,
network models, and (vi) knowledge- cross-functional activity with other
based models [11]. In our research we aspects of managements to deliver
focus on reengineering business process benefits for the enterprise. This also
and therefore the appropriate tool and supports the product innovation in SMEs
technique will be activity-based analysis [12].
and workflow model including flow
chart. 3 THE CONCEPTUAL MODEL

Most of the current BPR models and Based on observation in local company
methodologies are developed and suited and review in literature study, a
for large organisations. For SMEs it is conceptual model of BPR for SMEs is
difficult to fit into the large organization proposed as shown in Figure 1.
approach for BPR. Small and medium

TECHNICAL SOFTWARE/ SYSTEM

Database System

INPUT
1. Prosess of ordering goods OUTPUT
BUSINESS PROCESS products,
2. Process of delivery and
pick-up box
REENGINEERING deliverables,
3. Serve and resolve customer services
complaints
4. Input data receipt

People

Distributor /
Customer Agent Staff
vendor

Figure 1. The Conceptual Model of BPR for SME

In this model the BPR for SMEs consist components are people, input, process,
of five main components. The output and the technical component.

54
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

This model will be evaluated by the case reduce errors and deficiencies that


study and will be discussed more detail have occurred over the years.
in the next section. Output is the new enhanced
products, deliverables and services
The components have links inter delivered by the enterprise through
connected with each other, and each the BPR process.
component has a significant role for

 The Distributor is a person who is


SME. 4. CASE STUDY AT MS COMPANY

given responsibility for delivery of 4.1 The Profile

 The Customer is someone who


goods
This case study was carried out in a
repeatedly comes to a similar place cargo company in Malaysia (which is
to gratify his desire to have a product named as MS Company in this paper).
or a service by paying for the MS Company is engaged in serving

 The Agent is someone who helps the


product or service. delivery of goods from Malaysia to
Indonesia. It was established in 2001
SME companies in finding and with the motto “Your Package Our
selling services to customers. Responsibility”. It is operated and
Agents are also able to explain the supported by several divisions involving
distribution of goods to reach the the treasury, customer services,

 The Database is a collection of data


receiver. operation, administration, marketing,
human resource, warehouse and
items inter-related to each other, information technology divisions. These
organized based on a schema or a various divisions have to work together
particular structure, stored in collaboratively to produce a good
computer hardware and software to business processes. Currently, the
do the manipulation for specific business processes run manually,
resulting in business process which is
 The System is a group elements that
purposes.
less effective and inefficient. This
are interconnected and affect each research project aims to help this
other in doing the activities together company to analyse and improve its
existing processes to produce enhanced
 The Input is a process that is running
to achieve the goal.
and integrated processes befitting a
in the SME. Processes are those such competitive enterprise company. This
as the ordering of items, sending the case study focuses in 3 main divisions:
box and taking the goods, and customer service, operation and
serving customers' complaints. All administration.
processes were done manually, so
often delay and errors occur in input 4.2 The Approach

 The Process is a new integrated


data.
This research was conducted based on
process that will be developed, the methodology used by
integrating the divisions into a single [9][10][14][15]. The methodologies
system. The new process will run mentioned from previous researchers
automatically and are expected to

55
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

discussed in section 2 are summarized Table 1. Workflow Re-engineering


into four main phases as follows:- Methodology
Phase 1
Build Vision and Objectives
Phase 1: Building of vision and objective
Step1: Identify a need for process
Phase 2: Identification of existing improvement
process Step 2: Establish change leadership role
Phase 3: Identification of process Step 3: Introduce automated workflow
improvement management technology
Phase 4: Building of prototype. Step 4: Brief, educate and train a change
team
For each phase, there are set of activities Step 5: Identify business cycle
that been conducted in several steps Step 6: Create an organizational vision
which can be referred in Table 1. Step 7: Analyse the project environment

Phase 2
4.3 The Implementation
Identifying Existing Process
Step 1: Catalog business products
4.3.1 Phase 1: Building of Vision and Step 2: Identify business process
Objective Step 3: Select a process for
implementation and improvement
In this phase, a need for improvement in Step 4: Construct a work breakdown
the way business operations is identified structure
and recognized. The business cycles of
the organization are identified, and a Phase 3
vision for the organization’s future is Identifying Process Improvements
established. The project environment is Step 1: Consider the customer’s
requirements
defined and a business cycle is selected
Step 2: Benchmark against industry
for improvement. A proactive change competitors
management program is employed Step 3: Specify performance goals
throughout the organization to prepare Step 4: Construct new workflow models
all employees for modifications to
business operations and to train them on Phase 4
how to operate the workflow Build Prototype
management tool. In this phase six steps Step 1: Realize prototype objectives
were conducted. Step 2: Determine the prototype functions
Step 3: Build a prototype
Step 1: Identification of a Need for Step 4: Evaluate and test the prototype
Process Improvement
The requirements were obtained by
MS Company ensures that customer’s means of interviews. Interviews with the
requirements are determined, prescribed top management were conducted in
and filled with the aim of enhancing order to ensure business processes
customer satisfaction. To ensure the consistent with the strategy planning of
BPR model developed met the perfect MS Company. In addition the answers
integration of the system and services, from the respondents via interviews
the top management was involved [13]. served as the inputs to the new BPR

56
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

model and prototype which will be Every divisions in organization required


developed in this research in later stage. strong coordination with each other.
However, the problem was each division
In the interview sessions, staff involved normally has different working
in each division was aware of all technologies to support them. Thus,
activities and information related to their information technology infrastructures
tasks and responsibilities as well as the need to be readied and operated to
requirements of this project. At first the support the connectivity throughout the
researcher presented the project organization. Members in the change
management plan to all staff involved to team provide information on the
provide better understanding of this BPR necessity IT support for each division.
exercise. Three senior officers of MS
Company were involved in this Step 4: Briefing, Educating, and
interview sessions. Training of a Change Team

Step 2: Establishing Change In this step, the selected staff performed


Leadership Roles workflow modeling and system
improvements overview and plan to the
The organization must establish key change team. The change team involved
leadership roles to support and assist the were briefed, and educated on workflow
change team. These roles include a re- management.
engineering leader, and an executive
Step 5: Identification of the Business
level re-engineering steering committee.
Cycle
The leader is an executive-level manager
who creates a corporate vision, Next, the organization of business cycle
motivates, oversees the re-engineering was identified and recorded. To
effort, and ensures that the program has determine the organization of business
continuing financial and managerial cycle, and changes to be made, the team
support. The steering committee is a identified the mission and goals of the
group of senior managers who define the company to gather and review
organization’s re-engineering strategy. regulations and instructions governing
The re-engineering leader is often the the operation. They also consulted the
chairperson of this committee. The executive director for clarification and
committee determines project priority, confirmation of the business objectives.
controls resource allocations, and This was explained in the
provides problem resolution assistance Administration division (see Table 2).
to re-engineering teams. Resulted from this activity, the
flowcharts of all services in this case
The change leaderships were established study were being produced.
within three related divisions: general Step 6: Creation of an Organizational
manager, operation manager, customer Vision
service manager and administration
manager. The mission and vision need to be
defined initially as they will determine
Step 3: Introduction of Automated strategic management. However, they
Workflow Management Technology are not something that should be fixed,
because the vision and mission of a

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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

company will change after seeing the become obvious after analyzing the
new realities that may should be fixed, external and internal environments.
because the new realities that may

Table 2.Flowchart of Administration Division

Flow Diagram Explanation


1. The administration makes predictions based
on previous years’ data and provides the
Make forecast for procuremant of
container -1
container to implement the forwarding
2. Make manifest according to receipts from the
Making manifest of goods into the operation and data entry of goods in
warehouse -2
warehouse
Information prepare for 3. If the goods in the warehouse are suitable,
Reservation container -3 loading from warehouse to
container -4
prediction or at least able for loading goods
into containers then make sure to return to
No
Procedur Car/
prepare for the arrival of containers
Match
Par -5 4. Ensure the warehouse for loading goods into
Yes containers where the goods are suitable for
Proses Loading to container loading and ready
coaintainer -6
Send data for draft Bill
of Lading (shiping 5. If the goods are in accordance with the
Intruction) -7 Send Manifest to
Indonesia -9
manifest the receipts are then directly inserted
into container; when it is not done the
Bill of Lading
Indonesia -8
Send Manifest to Embassy for
confirmation -10
reporting in the form of car/ par, to be
followed up, and the goods will be separated
first.
Send document to
6. Carry out the process of loading into the
customs -11 container while a record of the suitability of
goods with the documents in the manifest/
receipt is made.
Match
Indonesia 7. Perform data transmission draft Bill of Lading
customs -12
yes No 8. Bill of Lading was obtained in Indonesia
9. Do the delivery manifest to Indonesia
Distribution of goods in
Indonesia -13
10. Do the delivery manifest to the Embassy to be
confirmed
11. Perform transmission of documents to
Last Report
Distributor -14 customs
12. if it does not match/have a problem,
No
coordination with Indonesian customs
Report to CS
Match
-15
13. if it matches do distribution goods in
Yes Indonesia
Customer -16 14. Admin gets the final report of the delivery
status
15. If there are problems they will be reported to
Finish
the customer service
16. If appropriate then, that data kept by the
admin.

The vision of MS Company is to be a of shipping goods to the destinations of


company capable of operating in line Malaysia and Indonesia through
with international companies in the field optimization of its own strength and
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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

sensitivity to the market environment. Table 3. Business Process Identification Form


The mission of MS Company is to be a for Administration
freight forwarding company that can BUSINESS PROCESS IDENTIFICATION
compete with international companies FORM for Business Cycle, Administration
through the optimal delivery of services
No Form Business Process Priority
at a minimal price and be able to play a
role in the creation of jobs. List of data items
1 Loading Important
into the container.
4.3.2 Phase 2: Identification of Details of
Existing Process Shipping shipping
2 instructi containers used Important
on for Malaysian
During the second phase of this research, customs
the products of the business cycles were
identified and reviewed. The component Receipt and
Bill of signed by the
processes of the cycle were 3
Lading Malaysian
Important
distinguished and selected for customs
improvement. There are 5 steps involved
Detail of data
in this phase and these are explained in items in the
the following sections. container, its data
4 Manifest is sent to the Important
Step 1: Catalog Business Products Embassy and
distributor in
Indonesia
The change team identified the products
that resulted from the completion of the Form of
BSTK / Indonesian
chosen business cycle. For each division 5 addition distributor about Important
each product (physical and electronic) al items container
were identified and recorded. Table 3 receiving report
shows the Business Process
Identification Form for Administration,
Table 4 shows the Business Process Table 4. Business Process Identification Form
Identification Form for Customer for Customer Services
Services and Table 5 shows the Business BUSINESS PROCESS
Process Identification Form for IDENTIFICATION FORM for
Operational Division respectively. Business Cycle Customer Service
N
The table shows the associated form that o Form Business Process Priority
needed by this division and the List of addresses
importance of the form. The change DO and telephone
Importa
team needs to identify the priority of the 1 (delivery numbers of
nt
form. Similarly, Table 4 illustrates the order) customers and
agents.
required form for Business Cycle
Customer Service and Table 5 illustrates Report of the
the operation of business cycle customer that the
CB goods have not
components. In this paper, we filter, 2 (checking been sent to the
Importa
order and list the highest priority forms. nt
goods) recipient, and not
arrived less than
one month.

59
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

Report of the Step.2: Identification of Business


SLP Processes
customer that the
(shipment
goods have not Importa
3 through
been sent and not nt During this step, the business cycle is
the
arrived for more decomposed into its component
period)
than a month.
processes by identifying how each
RPA Address change business cycle product is created. Using
(request request form from Importa the Business Process Identification
4
exchange customers or nt
address) distributor Form, the change team records the
process name and the priority assigned
Table 5. The Operation of the business cycle to the tasks: low, routine, high, urgent.
component The priority of the tasks is assigned by
the offices in the divisions. The priority
BUSINESS PROCESS IDENTIFICATION of the process will be used to determine
FORM for Business Cycle Operational work assignment and precedence. Table
N Priorit 6 and Table 7 show the results of the
o Form Business Process y business processes and time completion.
Warrant given by
Table 6. The Customer service of the business
SPJ the operation
cycle component
manager or Importa
1 (Permit) assistant manager nt
of operations for Task Priority Time
taking goods. Completion
List of customer Pick-list High 1 day
DO
addresses prepared Importa
2 (delivery CB (checking goods) Low 1 day
by the customer nt
order)
service SLP (shipment 7 days
High
Proof that the through the period)
customer has sent RPA (request 2 days
Importa
3 Receipt the goods to the exchange address or High
nt
officer to be phone number)
delivered
TDC (technical 2 days
The driver takes High
distribution case)
STBA the goods to the
(receipt agent and Importa OPR (open report) High 7 days
4
of goods handover of goods nt replacement of the 4 days
dealer) agent accreditation High
goods
forms.
LDO ( Form to enter
delivery details of items Importa Step 3: Selection of a Process for
5 Implementation and Improvement
order taken from the nt
report) customer or agent.
After all the processes of a business
Daily report that cycle have been identified and recorded,
contains number of the team selects a single business
Daily Importa
6 incoming goods
Report
and carrying box to
nt process for implementation based on a
the customer. set of factors. A Weighted Selection
Approach to rate each process has been
used and applied. The scales used are

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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

from one to five for the factors of and improvement. The ranking of each
changeability, performance, and process is recorded, in order of their re-
business and customer impact [16]. engineering priority on the Business
Process Identification Form. These
Table 7. The Operation of the business cycle rankings are used to schedule the
component
remaining processes for future
improvement projects.
Task Priority Time
Completion The change team committee must
identify the owner of the selected
For pick-zoning High 1day
process. The process owner is the senior
Take the empty boxes Routine 30 minutes manager responsible for the effective
from the warehouse
and efficient functioning of that
Take the goods to the High 9 hours particular process. He/She should
customer and agent understand the tasks involved in the
Writing of receipt High 15 minutes entire process and be able to predict how
Make the LDO High 30 minutes any proposed changes might affect both
the process and the overall business
Submit receipt to the High 5 minutes
cycle.
admin
Deposit money into High 15 minutes Step 4: Construction of a Work
Finance
Breakdown Structure
Creating a Daily Routine 1 Hour
Report The change team works together to build
a work breakdown structure. Description
In order to determine the value for each from the business cycle is then
element, the change team must answer composed into several parts.

 Changeability: How easily can the


the following questions: Composition goal is to make a more
easily understood and modeled structure.
process be fixed? (1 = Cannot be The process is divided into sub-

 Performance: How does the process


changed; 5 = Easily changed) components of the process, further
subdivided into steps of the actual work
presently function? (1 = Well; 5 = of the process.

 Business Impact: How important is


Badly)
4.3.3 Phase 3: Identifying Process
the process and its product to the Improvements
success of the company? (1

 Customer Impact: To what extent is


=Unimportant; 5 = Critical) Business process improvement is the
third phase in this research approach.
the customer concerned with or This phase was carried out in four main
affected by the present state of the activities or steps.
process or its product? (1 =
Unconcerned; 5 = Highly concerned) Step 1: Considering the Customers'
The process with the highest total score Requirements
is the process that is in the greatest need In determining the goals of new
of improvement. Therefore, the change processes, the company’s customers
team selects this process for automation must be considered and gathered. The
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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

change team had meetings with competitors, MS Company has


customers’ representatives to discuss and undertaken a number of strategies such
record their needs, ideas of as providing an appropriate price, having
improvement, and performance its service profile published in the
objectives. A survey was then created magazine of the Embassy of the
and posted to gather broader customer Republic of Indonesia-Malaysia, serving
base needs. Direct contact, however, the customers door to door, and giving 1
should be used whenever possible to free shipping for customers who have
demonstrate a strong commitment to sent goods a total of 5 times.
customer needs and to foster a better
relationship. Step 3: Specifying of Performance
Step 2: Benchmarking against Goals
Industry Competitors
Using data collected from customers and
In the recent years, the increasing benchmarks, processes and objectives
number of actors has created a tight stated in the vision statement of the
market competition in businesses. Even organization, the team determines the
now this is a competition among whole process of performance goals (in
entrepreneurs with other business actors terms that can be measured) for each key
and is getting more complex. It is performance indicator implemented in
necessary for a company to know their the workflow. Each of these goals is
competitors in their business recorded in order of priority in the
environment to stay competitive and process of performance form. This
maintain its presence in the business. amount is then divided into each
component task process and the task
Without new innovations from the performance recorded in each form.
company, customers will quickly get
bored and the business would sink in the Step 4: Construction of New
midst of much competition. That is why Workflow Models
the competitors would work towards
both innovations in the internal affairs of Based on previous activities and inputs
the company as well as enhancing the the new workflow model which consists
competitiveness of their products. To of integrated processes and components
achieve this goal, the team must be for MS Company was produced in this
aware of changes and adapt to any new step. The model was adopted through the
methods and technologies employed in conceptual model of BPR as shown in
the industry. Figure 1. As illustrated in the model, it
consisted of people, input, process,
The information sources may include the output and the technical component. The
publishing industry, academic research, new model developed in this phase is the
consulting firms, and visits to other process integrated model for MS
companies inside and outside the circle Company.
of their competitiveness. For this case
study, we have identified nine
competitors with similar effort and
services provided. In response to these

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International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

5 THE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN The inputs required are order, delivery


OF THE SYSTEM information, receipts and complaints.
The operations inclusive in this system
This section explains the transformation are SLP (shipment through period), RPA
of the conceptual model into system (request exchange address and phone),
architecture. The workflow of MS TDC (technical distribution on case) and
Company System (named as MS-Co OPR (open report). These modules are
System) is represented in an architecture under customer service component. The
that has been designed and shown in second component is the operational
figure 2. It focuses on the integration of which handles the delivery order. The
processes in the BPR of the case study. third component is the administration
which supports the detail data items that
MS-Co System is an integrated system need to be sent to embassy and other
that includes operations from customer distributors (manifest).
service, operational and administration.

MS-Co
Database

Access
- Order Input - Delivery status
- Delivery Info - Compensation
MS-Co
- Receipt - Summary
SYSTEM - Decision making
- Complaints Result

Operation

Customer Operational Administration


Service

SLP RPA TDC OPR DO Manifest

Figure 2. The Architecture Design for MS-Co System

In this architecture, a database or knowledge data. The knowledge data is


repository is required to store all the useful for generating and supporting
necessary data. There can be two levels decision making system that might be
of data: the raw MS-Co data and the needed in further enhanced of this

63
International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC) 2(1): 51-65
The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications, 2012(ISSN 2225-658X)

system. In this phase of the study, the Our research has proposed a new
main functions of the system are the enhanced methodology of WRM to suit
input, retrieve, operation and result. The small and medium-sized companies. A
knowledge base aspects will be covered conceptual model of BPR for SME has
in the future version of MS-Co System. been proposed in this paper. The
It will include the dynamic and implementation through a case study
intelligent MS-Co system using artificial conducted in a local cargo company in
intelligence technique. The MS-Co Malaysia has shown that the conceptual
System presents delivery status, model is appropriate and practical.
compensation and summary report. In Based on the proposed conceptual
future enhance version of this system model, an integrated application of MS
may include decision-making features to Co System was developed as illustrated
support the management and prediction and discussed in section 5.
activities of the company.
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