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Asset Valuer Pro (APV) Business Process Map

Overview​

This document provides a visual map of the core business processes in Asset Valuer Pro and shows how they relate to each other. The map illustrates the sequential flow and relationships between processes, highlighting their integration points and dependencies, including manual workarounds identified during business process validation.

Process Relationships Diagram​

Process Descriptions​

1. File Setup & Configuration Process​

  • Purpose: Establishes the foundation for performing valuations
  • Inputs: Client information, license requirements, asset classification structure
  • Outputs: Configured client, users, valuation framework, asset hierarchy, assumptions, valuation job
  • Next Process: Data Collection Process
  • Key Manual Elements:
    • Sharon (administrator) sets up jobs; valuers input frameworks and registers
    • Manual data cleansing during initial asset register import
    • Multiple Excel files for large dataset management

2. Data Collection Process​

  • Purpose: Gathers and validates all required data for valuations
  • Inputs: Initial asset register, valuation framework, created job
  • Outputs: Complete dataset ready for valuation calculations
  • Previous Process: File Setup & Configuration
  • Next Process: Calculation & Reporting
  • Key Manual Elements:
    • Essential asset information pre-populated before field work
    • Manual asset creation for items not initially listed in register
    • Manual data cleansing to ensure consistency

3. Calculation & Reporting Process​

  • Purpose: Performs valuation calculations and generates reports
  • Inputs: Complete asset data, configured assumptions
  • Outputs: Calculated valuations, various reports
  • Previous Process: Data Collection
  • Next Process: Post-Valuation
  • Key Manual Elements:
    • Desktop land valuations require index application in external spreadsheet
    • Manual percentage change checks for identifying outliers
    • Report customization through manual tailoring in Word before PDF conversion
    • Component values must sum to 100% (validation rule)

4. Post-Valuation Process​

  • Purpose: Finalizes, audits, and archives completed valuations
  • Inputs: Finalized valuation results, audit requirements
  • Outputs: Archived valuation job, client-ready data
  • Previous Process: Calculation & Reporting
  • Outcome: Completed valuation cycle
  • Key Manual Elements:
    • Auditors receive view-only access after verification
    • Archiving locks data but keeps it in database for future reference
    • Previous comprehensive valuations rollover process includes manual steps

Key Integration Points​

  1. Client Systems Integration:

    • Initial asset register import
    • Data validation against client records
    • Export of final valuation data for client systems
    • Client data requirements clarified in tenders to manage expectations

  2. Mobile Data Collection Integration:

    • Export of asset data to iOS app (version 3, replacing previous FileMaker Pro app)
    • Field data collection
    • Synchronization of collected data back to AVP

  3. Audit Process Integration:

    • View-only access provided to auditors after verification
    • Large firms' requests for direct access to valuation team are denied
    • Auditors may perform spot checks to verify calculations and data splitting

  4. External Performance Tracking:

    • Performance metrics tracked outside the AVP system
    • Used for internal reporting and quality management
    • Potential area for future system integration

Manual Workarounds​

The business process validation identified several key manual workarounds that supplement the AVP system:

  1. Desktop Land Valuations:

    • Index application in external spreadsheet before reimporting data
    • Process explicitly flagged as comprehensive or desktop valuation

  2. Report Customization:

    • Templates generated from AVP system
    • Manual tailoring (deleting irrelevant sections) in Word
    • Final PDF conversion
    • Desire for more built-in customization options in future

  3. Quality Control:

    • Manual percentage change checks for outlier detection
    • Visual indicators (valid, error, warning) in system
    • Validation preventing finalization until errors resolved

  4. Data Management:

    • Large datasets managed through multiple Excel files
    • Manual data cleansing and assumption application
    • Manual asset creation for items not in register

  5. Valuation Rollover:

    • Not a simple automated process
    • Includes manual steps for jobs not updated in several years

Process Cycle and Iteration​

The diagram shows the linear progression of a valuation cycle, but in practice, there may be iterations within each process:

  • Data collection may identify issues requiring updates to the file setup
  • Calculation results may identify data gaps requiring additional collection
  • Audit review may require recalculation of certain valuations

Status of Process Documentation​

All core processes have been documented and validated with the business unit, with specific information gaps identified for follow-up.

Next Steps for Process Map Development​

  1. Verify process relationships with business unit ✓ COMPLETED
  2. Add decision points at key process junctions ✓ COMPLETED
  3. Expand sub-process details based on business unit feedback ✓ COMPLETED
  4. Link technical implementation to business processes ⚠️ PARTIALLY COMPLETED
  5. Document user training and knowledge transfer processes ❌ NOT ADDRESSED