As we conclude our P2P Benchmarking series, it’s time to focus on a metric that directly reflects the performance of individuals and teams – Productivity. Unlike other metrics that highlight efficiency at a process level, productivity puts a spotlight on how effectively people manage their tasks, making it a true indicator of operational excellence.
Understanding the Productivity Metric
Productivity in Procure-to-Pay is measured by the number of invoices processed or posted by a user within a specific time frame. According to industry benchmarks, the average annual productivity per user ranges from 11,000 to 12,000 invoices. However, top performers have been known to achieve levels as high as 23,000 to 24,000 invoices annually. This wide range underscores the impact of processes, tools, and skills on overall output.
Factors That Shape Productivity
Several interconnected factors determine how productive a team member can be. The skills and competencies of users are fundamental, but productivity can quickly decline if processes involve excessive manual touchpoints or lack structured workflows. Similarly, fragmented sources of invoice receipts or incomplete submissions can cause avoidable delays. The absence of automation and reliance on manual data entry also increase workloads and reduce efficiency.
Strategies for Enhancing Productivity
Improving productivity requires more than simply setting performance targets – it demands a structured approach to rethinking processes. Conducting an end-to-end assessment helps organizations pinpoint bottlenecks and design practical solutions. Some effective strategies include centralizing invoice receipt channels to avoid fragmentation, implementing strict submission guidelines to ensure accuracy, and adopting advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools to reduce manual data handling.
Dynamic approval matrices can also streamline workflows, while Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provide powerful opportunities to minimize repetitive tasks. When these tools are thoughtfully embedded, productivity no longer depends solely on individual effort but is supported by intelligent systems that make work faster, more accurate, and less stressful.
Building Smarter Productivity with Right Path
At Right Path Global Services, we believe productivity is not just about numbers – it’s about creating an environment where people, processes, and technology work seamlessly together. By combining process discipline with modern automation, businesses can unlock the true potential of their teams while strengthening efficiency across the P2P cycle.
With productivity as the final piece of our benchmarking journey, organizations now have a complete view of how to measure, analyze, and elevate their Procure-to-Pay processes. A stronger P2P function is not just about speed – it’s about building a foundation where efficiency, accuracy, and employee effectiveness thrive in harmony.
