Analyze time and cost to find improvement opportunities

Before you start

Open a practice Receive → Review details → Complete diagram. Use a consistent basis, such as one case or one execution, and distinguish measured values from estimates. Analytics summarizes your inputs; it does not automatically measure the work.

Steps

1. Enter time per step

   In the table's Time column, enter 5 minutes for Receive, 15 for Review details, and 10 for Complete. Check the unit in the column and cells. If the columns are hidden, close the AI and structure panels and scroll the table horizontally.

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   What to checkReceive is 5 minutes, Review details 15, and Complete 10, using the same unit.

2. Enter cost on a consistent basis

   In the Cost column, enter example values of 100, 300, and 200 for the same steps. Check the displayed currency and use one consistent cost basis. Entering time does not automatically calculate labor cost.

   What to checkYou entered 100, 300, and 200 and checked the cost basis and displayed currency.

3. Open Time analytics

   Choose Analytics at the top, then open the Time tab. On a narrow screen, find Analytics in the top overflow menu. The three steps in the root diagram total 30 minutes.

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   What to checkWith only the three root steps selected, the total is 30 minutes.

4. Choose a consistent scope

   Use All Layers at the top left to select a diagram. When details exist, also check the depth filters. If the parent contains the total time of its details and the children contain the same work, choose a scope that avoids adding both together.

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   Watch the actual steps

   The red box marks where to act or check. Silent video with captions. Video data loads when you press play. The written steps above cover the same operation.

   What to checkParent and child steps are not counting the same work twice.

5. Compare the time breakdown

   Use Pie Chart for proportions and Bar Chart to compare amounts. Read TOP 3 Time-Consuming: Review details should be largest at 15 minutes and 50%. A long step is a candidate for investigation, not proof of a problem; check its purpose and waiting time.

   What to checkReview details is 15 out of 30 minutes, or 50%.

6. Compare the cost breakdown

   Switch to Cost. Check its scope and chart settings again, then inspect the highest-cost steps. The example totals 600, with Review details at 300 and 50%. Compare whether the same step ranks high for both time and cost.

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   What to checkFor the same three steps, Review details is 300 out of 600, or 50%.

7. Return to a step and investigate

   Double-click a chart element to go to its step in the table, or use its right-click menu. Check the input and the actual work. If helpful, ask AI for improvement ideas with Advice Only enabled. Compare before and after using the same scope, units, and basis, then save the revised diagram.

   What to checkYou know which high-value step to investigate and what to check next.