Function Hierarchy
Diagrammer
Open on Existing Function
From Process Model to
Function Hierarchy
Base Process X
X
A
A
B C
B
D C
E D
E
What Is a Function
Hierarchy?
• Represents business
processes independent
of organizational,
geographical, or
political boundaries
• Shows how the
business fits together
• Results from functional
decomposition
Process Models and Function
Hierarchies
Where can I model . . .
The detailed steps in a function/process? PM/FHD
The sequence of steps? PM
What starts it off? PM
What results from it? PM
Where it fits with the rest of the business? FHD
The data it uses or produces? PM/FHD
The materials it uses or produces? PM
Who is responsible for it? PM/RON
Why use FHD instead of
PM?
• Vertical View Vs. Horizontal
• Organizational Capability
– Reparenting Automation Functions
– Business Rules as Functions
• Documentation Capability
• Organizational Preference
Building a Function
Hierarchy from Scratch
1. Identify the top-level or root function.
2. Decompose the functions.
3. Group subfunctions.
4. Remove all references to mechanisms.
5. Identify common functions.
How to Decompose Functions
Collect information
List candidate functions
Write a top-level function
Decompose and include functions
from the candidate list
Review for completeness and relevance
Feedback to others
Decompose to elementary level and add detail
Elementary Business
Functions
• Take the business from one state of
consistency to another or do not change
the state of the business at all
• Must always continue to conclusion or
be totally undone
If an intermediate step is valid, the
function is not elementary.
Atomic Functions
• Defined as those on lowest level of
hierarchy
• Elementary Business Functions may
be atomic (most frequent case)
• Could be composed of atomic
functions
Stop Decomposing When . . .
• The hierarchy:
– Is accurate and self-contained .
– Covers the scope.
– Can be read.
• The names are succinct and meaningful.
• The functions have been sufficiently
decomposed.
Documentation in PM
• Automation Check Box
• Timing and Cost Analysis (Main,Resources)
• Presentation (Multimedia)
• Descriptive Documentation (Text)
Documentation in FHD
Immediate =
Form
Overnight =
Report
Documentation in FHD
Documentation in FHD
Documentation in FHD
Documentation in FHD
Common Functions
Terminate Manage
membership delinquent
memberships
Identify Request Invalidate
delinquent return of membership
members overdue of delinquent
items customer
Are the Functions Really
Common?
• Do the functions carry out the
same processing?
• Do the functions manipulate the
same information?
• Do the functions have identical
decompositions?
Combining Common Functions
1. Identify common business
functions.
2. Trace the route back up to the
common parent.
3. Replace the common functions with
a single function.
Beware of Mechanisms!
Mechanism:
We take the customer’s photograph and stick it
to the bottom left-hand side of a blank card. We
fill in all the member’s details on the card.
Finally, we cover the card in plastic before giving
it to the member in person or mailing it to the
member.
Business Function:
Issue new membership card
Indicating Candidates for
Automation
• Select the To-be-automated box
• Use color
• Reparent functions into a new
hierarchy
X
A B C D E
