Production and Planning Basics

Planning activities

i) Create a flow diagram to explain the sequence of the production operations

ii) Make a time table to schedule all the production operations in time
iii) Make a cost calculation

Definition of a Flow diagram:

A flow diagram is a graphical representation of a process (production). It describes each part of a
production process in correct sequence.

A flow diagram shows all the possible actions and possible results involved in a procedure or
process

It is a drawing that uses symbols interconnected with lines to represent the process or production
flow

Functions of a Flow diagram

A flow diagram is used to check if production sequence is logic. It can quickly help identify
bottlenecks or inefficiencies where the process can be streamlined or improved.

Flow diagrams serve as a basis of determining the availability of all the materials and equipment
required for the production of a specific map.

In the process of making the flow diagram, alternative ways of production can be outlined.

Example:
Map features Map
Cartographic
Map Production Shp.
Process
Proof
Editing Print
Map

Specify Edited Map Proof printed

symbols features map
Shp.

No Check
Symbol Symbol map
specifications ization Yes

Printing
Maps
Design Symbolized
Layout Map features
Shp.
Printed
maps
Layout Create
specifications map

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The procedure of creating a flow diagram

i) Analyse the production process and divide the process into separate small processes; e.g.
Example of production steps:

Map production
 Data collection
 Data editing
 Data symbolisation
 Map layout
 Printed map

ii) Analyse the smaller production processes. Each small step has its own input, activity and
output process; e.g.

Editing step

Digitized Editing Edited

data data

Input Activity Output

iii) Put all small processes (steps) in the correct order to create a complete, detailed production
sequence.

 Data collection
 Scan source image
 Geo-reference source image
 Digitize roads: file
 Digitize rivers
 Etc…..

 Data editing: etc..

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iv) Make a systematic diagram of the production sequence where the processes, products and
relations are visible.

Shape files

Reference:
Symbol Symbol
specifications -ization

Symbolized
features

Check
map

Layout Create
specifications Map

Map
Document

Check No
map

Ok
Print
Maps

Printed map

3
Symbols to be used in a flow diagram
Product symbos
i) Analogue sheet of materials.
These include sheet of paper, printed sheets, aerial photographs on paper, sheets of film, sheet
of scribe coat, printed maps, etc.

iii) Digital file

Digital files include feature classes in a geo-database, shape files, word file, and all other files.

iv) Set of digital files which belong together

These are feature data sets, or a set of shape files which belong together, an Arc-info
coverage, a DXF set, etc.

Activity symbols
i) Action
Examples of actions are scanning, digitizing, editing, generalization, analyses, printing,
conversions, etc.

ii) Judgement
Examples of judgement are:
 check if the digitizing is complete; yes or no
 check if the colour proof is ok; yes or no

If no

If yes 4
Connectors
i) Flow connectors; used to connect the products and actions

ii) Relation connectors; used to connect the activities which are related to certain specification
files

Text used in flow diagram symbols

i) Analogue products; explain the analogue product

Compilation
manuscript

ii) Digital files; explain the content of digital files

Highways

Shp V
File Vector or
extension raster

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iii) Action; explain the activities to be undertaken in a key

Key
S…. scanning
D….digitizing
P…. printing on DeskJet

iv) Judgement; explain the condition of the product, whether correct or wrong. If correct
continue, if wrong go back to the previous action

Layout Create
specifications Map

Not ok, go back

to previous action
Map
Document

Check
map
If ok, continue