Operations Management: An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition

DESIGNING PROCESS LAYOUTS

We have mentioned that the objective in designing process layouts is to place resources close together based on the need for proximity. This need could stem from the number of trips that are made between these resources or from other factors, such as sharing of information and communication.

There are three steps in designing process layouts:

Step 1 Gather information.

Step 2 Develop a block plan or schematic of the layout.

Step 3 Develop a detailed layout.

Next we look at how each of these steps is performed.

Step 1: Gather Information

The first step is to collect information that will be used to design an initial layout. Several kinds of information are needed.

Identify Space Needed The first piece of information to be collected is the amount of space needed for each of the organization's key resources. At this stage, managers generally focus on larger resources, such as departments and work centers. Operations managers must identify the space requirements of each department relative to their capacity needs, such as size of equipment and number of employees, as well as circulation room, such as aisles.

EXAMPLE 10.1 Recovery First Sports Medicine Clinic: Developing a Block Plan

Recovery First Sports Medicine Clinic is an outpatient medical facility that provides a variety of medical services to patients suffering from sports injuries. The services include exams and X-rays, physical therapy, and outpatient surgery. The departments housed in the medical ...