PROCESS ANALYSIS OF GARDENING

A Research Paper in

METHODS STUDY

Presented to the Faculty of Industrial Engineering Department

Cebu Institute of Technology - University, Cebu City, Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

By

Belen, Gayle Marielle A.

Cañete, Jea Mae S.

Cornejo, Noeanna Marie D.

Rosal, Joegel Jan T.

Introduction

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to determine the alternative method to be

used to improve the existing process into the most efficient way.

Scope of the Study

The study is about the gardening process. It starts with the preparation of

the equipment to be used and ends with returning the equipment to the proper

storage. The final output is to lessen the time and the travel distance occurred in

the process.

Significance of the Study

Efficient process in gardening is greatly important because it minimizes

the task done manually or by hand. It is essential when doing general cleaning at

home, to lessen the lengthy process that could make you do more chores with a

limited time.

I. Problem identification

A. Statement of the Problem

It takes more or less 2718 seconds or approximately 45.3 minutes for the

worker to do gardening. The time includes the getting of the equipment from the

cabinet, to cutting the grown grasses in the lawn, to returning the equipment

after use. The problem is how to lessen the overall process time of gardening,
 specifically, cutting the all-grown grasses. Assuming the worker is paid 350 a

day.

B. Cause and Effect Diagram

CAUSE PROBLEM EFFECT

Time The long distance travelled from

consuming in the kitchen to the garden and
Process of performing the getting the needed equipment
transporting activity takes up to at least around 60
equipment to seconds of the time.
the lawn
Obstacle in
cutting the
Unnecessary grasses fairly
processes and
It takes up (time to prepare
the sequence
Distance everything before magstart ug cut
of operations
travelled is sa grass) to prepare the
greater than equipment needed before cutting
necessary the grasses

C. Discussion of the Cause and Effect Diagram

The top two (2) factors were identified which contributes the most in the

process of cutting grasses. These are the process of transporting the

equipment to the lawn or garden and unnecessary processes and the

sequence of the operation. These resulted to the total travel time of about

(total travel time). From this, we identified the problem which is to lessen

the amount of time in performing the activity and distance traveled.

II. Analysis of the Problem

A. Description of the Existing Method

 The process starts with the gardener getting the tools particularly the

gardening shears from the tool kit in the kitchen cabinet and bring it to the

garden. The gardener then starts to cut the grass using the shears. The

gardener sets aside the shears after cutting the grasses. The gardener gets the

broomstick and dustpan. He sweeps the grasses then throws it to the garbage

can. The gardener returns the broomstick and dustpan beside the garbage can.

He gets the shears. The gardener walks back to the kitchen. He opens the

kitchen cabinet and returns the shears into the tool kit.

B. Process Flowchart of the Existing Method

Symbol Description Distance (feet) Time (second)

Gardening shears -

1 Gets the gardening shears from the storage 46.70

Walks to the kitchen door 4.63 4.47

2 Opens the door 17.88

Walks towards the cabinet 16.88

4 Opens the cabinet 5.94

5 Gets the toolbox 28.61

6 Opens the toolbox 2.97

7 Gets the shears inside the toolbox ( Delay made by searching the shears ) 47.92

8 Closes the toolbox 7.44

Walks to the exit door of the kitchen 4.61 2.75

Symbol Description Distance (feet) Time (second)

9 Opens the door 1.80

Walk towards the garden 17.30 5.31

10 Starts cutting the grass 5.03

 8.06
Walks to the corner of the house 21.91
1.80
11 Gets the broomstick and dustpan 1.92
8.06
Walks back to the garden area 21.91
1.80
12 3.06
1 Slihigon and basura( ikaw nalang English ani  )
36.50
2
8.06
Walks towards the garbage can 21.91
1.80
13 Throws the garbage 1.92

8.06
Walks back to the gas stove (Delay made by opening the door) 21.91
1.80
14 9.68
Places the egg mixture on the pan and fries it.(Waits until the egg is half cooked)
60.15
8.06
Walks back to the table (Delay made by opening the door) 21.91
1.80
15
Gets the bowl of sliced ham 1.92

8.06
Walks back to the gas stove (Delay made by opening the door) 21.91
1.80
16 Places the ham on the uncooked top part of the egg. 28.76

17 Folds the omelette 39.04

18 Flips the omelet. 45.24

8.06
Walks to the cabinets (Delay made by opening the door) 22.22
1.80
19 Gets the plate 1.92

8.06
Walks back to the gas stove (Delay made by opening the door) 21.91
1.80

20
Checks if the omelet is cooked 20.04

21 Turns off the gas stove. 2.32

22 Takes the omelet and places it on the plate. 7.93

8.06
Walks to the table (Delay made by opening the door) 21.91
1.80

Places the omelet on to the table 1.92

23 Total 224.04 547.47

B. Flow Diagram of the Existing Method

 1

19

5 3 2
7
6 8 4

23 11 15
13

21 12

10 16
14
18 22
20
17

C. Summary of Operations

Legend:

Storage

Operation

Transportation
Operation and
Inspection
Transportation and
Delay
Operation and Delay
 No. Of Processes Frequency Time Distance

Delay 11 346.84 -

Operation 23 85.07 -

Transportation 12 25.07 224.04

Inspection 2 112.85 -

Storage 1 - -

D. Productivity of the Existing Method

= 0.00183 omelet/second

III. Search for Probable Solutions

1. Build a tool shed near the lawn or garden.

2. Buy a lawn mower.

3. Remove or combine some operations to minimize effort

4. Build a tool shed near the lawn or garden and buy a lawn mower and remove

or combine some operations to minimize the distance traveled between

operations and to minimize effort.

IV. Evaluation of Alternative or Probable Solution

A. Evaluate Each Probable Solution

1. Build a tool shed near the lawn or garden to minimize the distance

traveled between operations. Building a tool shed near the lawn or garden
 removes the operation of opening the kitchen door, minimizes the distance

in getting necessary tools or equipment and thereby lessens the travel

time. The overall process is lessened from 2,718 seconds to (total time sa

proposed method).

2. Buy a lawn mower. Buying a lawn mower would be a big help in

minimizing the time in cutting the grasses than using gardening shears.

3. Remove or combine some operations to minimize the distance traveled

between operations and to minimize effort.

4. Build a tool shed near the lawn or garden and buy a lawn mower and

remove or combine some operations to minimize the distance travelled between

operations and to minimize effort.

B. Discussion of the Proposed Method

B1. Description of the Proposed Method

The process starts with the gardener getting the lawn mower from

the tool shed near the kitchen. The cook cracks in a small bowl then adds the

water, salt and pepper until it was blended. The cook slices the ham into bits. Then, the

cook turns on the gas stove. He gets the butter, and heats it in a pan over a medium-

high heat. The cook gets the egg mixture and walks again to the gas range. The pan is tilt

to coat the bottom and poured the egg mixture. Cooked portion of the egg is gently

pushed from edges toward the center with inverted turner so that the uncooked eggs

can reach the hot pan surface. When top surface of the egg is thickened and no visible
 liquid egg remains, sliced ham is placed on one side of the omelet. Omelet is folded into

half using the turner. The omelet is then slide onto the plate and served.

Distance Time
Symbol Description
(feet) (second)
Gets the order of the customer
1
Take precooked fries from the container 46.70
Puts the fries into the deep fryer (Wait until the fries gets hot from
2.66 4.47
2
the machine)
Gets the order of the customer 17.88
3
Take precooked fries from the container 5.94
B2. Flow Chart of the Proposed Method
Get the order Take precooked fries from the container Put the fries into the deep fryer

Machine-run time Pour the fries into the mixing jar Add flavoring Shake the mixing jar until flavoring

is distributed Pour the fries into the plastic Giving of the order
 Distance Time
Symbol Description
(feet) (second)
4
Gets the fries from the machine to remove excess oil 1.02
5 Puts the fries into the deep fryer (Wait until the fries gets hot from
28.61
the machine)
6
Pours the fries into the mixing jar 1.07
7
25.02
8
Moves the sliced smaller pieces of ham into another plate. 7.44
Walks to the gas range 3.64 2.56
9 Turns on the gas stove.[Checks if the fire is lighted at medium-
5.03
high]
10 Places the butter on the pan.(Wait until the butter has totally 3.06
melted) 36.50
11 Places the egg mixture on the pan and fries it.(Waits until the egg 9.68
is half-cooked) 60.15
12
Places the ham on the uncooked top part of the egg. 28.76
13
Folds the omelet 39.04
14
Flips the omelet.[Checks if the omelet is fully cooked] 45.24
15
Turns off the gas stove. 2.32
Walks to the cabinets 3.64 5.03
16
Opens to the cabinets and gets with a plate 1.85
Walks to the gas range 3.64 5.03
17
Takes the omelet and places it on the plate. 7.93
8.06
Walks to the table (Delay made by opening the door) 17.30
1.80
18
Places the plate on the table 1.92
Total 30.88 402.11
 B3. Flow Diagram of the Proposed Method

18

16 1

3 6
5 4
7 8
2

11 17 12
9
15 14 10 13

B4. Summary of Operations

Legend:

Storage

Operation

Transportation
Operation and
Inspection
Transportation and
Delay
 Operation and Delay

No. Of Processes Frequency Time (sec) Distance

Delay 4 278.51 -

Operation 18 25.15 -

Transportation 5 50.27 30.88

Inspection 2 127.06 -

Storage 1 - -

B5. Productivity of the Proposed Method

= 0.00249 omelet/second

B6. Productivity Index

Productivity index =

Productivity Index = 1.36

C. Cost of Improvement
 Labor cost for two workers P 962
(transferring the table, refrigerator, and kitchen equipment)

D. Savings
Savings = Old Labor Cost – New Labor Cost

= (0.0167 php/sec x 547.47 sec/day) – (0.0167 php/sec x 402.11

sec/day)

= 9.14 php/day – 6.72 php/day

Savings = 2.42 php/day

E. Payback Period

The payback period of the owner if he pursues the alternative is 397.5

days or approximately 398 days from the day of installation.

Payback Period = = = 398 days (1.09 years)

V. Analysis and Findings (Quantitative)

Labor Cost per second

Minimum Wage = 481 pesos/8 hrs

= 0.0167 pesos/second

Percentage of Proposed Overall time from Existing Overall time

%= x 100 = 73.45 %
 The new overall time in cooking omelet is 73.45% of the existing time.

Therefore, there is a decrease of 26.55% in the overall cooking time.

VI. Conclusion

The proposed process in cooking omelet reduces the amount of

processing time 26.55% percent. The labor productivity increased from

0.00183 omelet/second to 0.00249 omelet/second with a productivity index

of 1.36. The payback period may be approximately 398 days [1.09 years] but

it is worth it because the owner can save labor cost of 962 in those 398 days.

VII. Recommendation

We recommend the following actions to the Obiedo residence.

 Repositioning of the kitchen appliances such that when you are facing the wall,

from the right is the gas stove, then the table and lastly, the refrigerator.

 The cabinet containing the tableware is located under the table

 The beating of the egg is simultaneous with mixing the seasonings in the bowl.