Optimization of travel requests with process simulation analysis

Abstract

Efficient travel request management is crucial in the modern corporate landscape, impacting decision-making, budget control, and overall operational efficiency. This study delves into the intricacies of the travel request management process with process mining and process simulation, aiming to assess the cost structure and efficiency. Three research questions were examined and tested statistically. Using a comprehensive dataset encompassing timestamps, personnel roles, and cost details, the research uncovers significant insights. The findings reveal substantial cost variations across different stages of the travel request process. Role-based analysis highlights variations in costs and processing times associated with distinct personnel roles. Additionally, delays, bottlenecks, and process variability emerge as key contributors to elevated process costs. Furthermore, process mining and simulation were instrumental in quantifying the impact of process optimizations. The simulations demonstrated that a 20% reduction in response times for Unit Leaders, a 40% reduction for Project Managers, and a 30% reduction for both roles collectively yielded the most significant cost savings. On average, a 0.45% cost improvement was observed for each percentage reduction in response times, reinforcing the importance of efficiency enhancements. These numerical results not only validate the critical role of response time reduction in cost control but also provide actionable insights for organizations to streamline their travel request management processes, improve budget allocation, and enhance operational efficiency in the corporate landscape.