Business Process Improvement Applied to Written Temporary Duty Travel Orderswithin the United States Air Force

摘要

This study analyzed the process currently endemic to the activity of producingwritten TDY orders. Business Process Improvement (BPI) methodology using IDEF (ICAM Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing Definition) and Activity Based Costing methods were used for this study. The objectives of the written TDY order activity were determined as identifying the traveler(s) and verifying authenticity of the travel requirement and subsequent entitlements. Processing the TDY information, generating the TDY order, and processing the TDY order showed activities that add no value or limited value for either the traveler or the government. The activity costs incurred to produce a written TDY order average approximately $35.63. A literature review revealed large civilian enterprises do not typically preauthorize travel in writing. This limited the ability of the study to benchmark the current process against civilian industry. The BPI methodology was not completed due to the five-month time alloted for this study. However, preliminary data demonstrates improvements can be obtained by applying a BPI methodology. Specifically, activities identified for possible elimination could save $11.68 of the 35.63 activity cost to produce one written TDY order. Business process improvement, Business reengineering, Functional process improvement, TDY Orders, Temporary duty travel order, Activity based costing.