Scheduling zero-wait batch processes involves various parameters of which makespan is normally used as the deciding parameter for selecting the optimum production sequence. Most of the currently available methods for determining makespan are based on complex mathematical programming techniques. The current research focuses on developing a novel method to determine makespan for zero-wait batch processes using simple mathematics coupled with some rule-based guidelines to be performed on a matrix containing the batch process recipes. The method is reasonably efficient and gives promising results with different batch process recipes. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.