Example Application

Finance & Accounting Shared Services - benchmarking and process improvement

Shared service leaders can now collect, monitor and compare performance at the process and task level using Time and Task software integrated with Score Research's benchmarking process definitions and database. If, like some of our clients, you have been looking for visibility of resource deployment, quantification and cost of non-core tasks and the ability to collect service costs by process/customer, then ask for a demonstration of our Time and Task.

Using this web-based hosted application for only a relatively short period will provide real and lasting value. For example:

• Core/Non core % of resource
• Cost per unit comparison with external benchmarks
• Identification of process improvement opportunities

Use Time and Task to develop your Pricing and Service Level Agreements; it will also help those negotiation concerning extra/unique client services. Staff can attach valuable additional information about activities that explain reasons for delays.

	Using Score Research's process definitions a set of pre-determined tasks are assigned to teams. The set of tasks is then tailored, as required, to individuals within the team, by adding or deleting from the template. (click image to see larger image)
Staff Timesheet Staff simply Login and complete their timesheet using a standard browser
	Task classification At the side of the task description appears a task 'type' (core diversionary, support). Core tasks are those for which the team exists. They use their specific expertise and add value to the business Diversionary tasks are usually caused by failure somewhere in the process, organisation or systems. Such activities include correcting errors and chasing other people.

Support tasks are those that make it possible for the core tasks to take place efficiently and within the prescribed levels of control. In back-office processes they provide a framework that ensures appropriate control. Such activities include establishing and maintaining credit and collection procedures, allocating duties and documenting policies and procedures.

Sub-classification of tasks It is possible to attach additional information to each and every time value included on a timesheet. Such information might include customer reference/ ID, volume and or other useful; comments about the reason for extraordinary amount of time spent on a particular task(s).

Balanced Scorecard

'Scorecard' combines the resource analysis from 'Time and Task' with 'Drivers' and 'Practices/Technology analysis'. The resulting performance measures for your organisation is compared to Score Research's database. You can select whether you wish to be compared by sector, or multi-sector, by region or global and in which currency you wish results to be displayed. Compare current performance against 'ScoreCard' quartiles to set realistic but challenging targets.

Time and Task licencing

The software is available both as a rented application, hosted on Score Research's server and as own server version. The rented application is charged on a cost per user per month basis. There is an extra one-off charge for the inclusion of the scorecard database and metrics.

Note

While this overview illustrates the application's use in addressing Finance and Accounting shared services it is equally suited to any staff functions, such as HR, procurement, IT where visibility of resource is required for service level and charge-out.