PROCESS FOCUS

What is process focus strategy?

A production facility organized around processes to facilitate low-volume high-variety productions.

All operations are grouped according to the type of process. In a factory these process might be
departments devoted to welding, grinding and painting. In an office the process might be account
payable, sales and payroll. Such facilities are process focused in terms of equipment, layout and
supervision. They provide a high degree of product flexibility as product moves between processes. Each
process is designed to provide a high variety of activities and handle frequent changes. Consequently
they are also called intermittent process.

Also called interminttent process or " job shop"

What are Process strategy main Characteristics?

* Facilities organized around specific activities or processes

* General purpose equipment and skilled personnel

* High degree of flexibility

*Typically high costs and low equipment utilization

*Product flows vary considerably making planning and scheduling a challenge

*Flow varies due to the customization nature of the product

Some examples of the process focused are a hospital, a machine shop and a bank.

We are going to explain Arnold Palmer Hospital, which is a clear example of Process Focused.

Imagine a diverse group of patients entering Arnold Palmer Hospital, a process-focused facility, to be
routed to specialized departments, treated in a distinct way, and then exiting as uniquely cared for
individuals.
To conclude, as each process, process focused supposes some positive aspects for the company and
some negatives ones:

Positive aspects implementing the process focused:

-Greater product flexibility

-More general propose equipment

-Lower initial capital investment

Negative aspects of implementing the process focused:

-More highly trained personal

-More difficult production planning and control

-Low equipment utilization (5%)

-Requires more time if the system operates on one or more processes at a time

-High Variable costs