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Definition
Found In
Capital Requirement
There are three types of workflow layouts that managers can choose from and
how office and factory facilities are approached differently. What are the
criteria of creating an effective and efficient workflow and building a high
standard of production?
Facility layout decisions are based on criteria aimed at creating an effective and
efficient workflow and high standard production.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Key Points
There are three types of workflow layouts that managers can choose
from.
Office and factory facilities are approached differently.
A facility manager’s industry can also influence the facilities layout design.
Key Terms
Introduction
Facilities is defined as the workspace and equipment needed to carry out the
operations of the organization. This includes offices, factories, computers, and
trucks.
After choosing the facility’s location, the next stage in operations planning is to
design the best physical layout for the facility. The avaliable space needs to be
assessed with workstations, equipment, storage, and other amenities need to
be arranged. The aim is to allow for the most efficient workflow without
disruption. A workplace that has carefully arranged its layout will allow for a
more effictive and efficient workflow and produce its good or services to a high
standard.
There are three types of workflow layouts that managers can choose from:
Facility managers should consider several factors when designing the layout of a
facility to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Does the design and layout allow for growth or change? Is there a chance
that your company will experience significant growth? Could some other
change come about that could influence the layout of your facility? In
business, anything is possible. Make sure that same is true of your
facilities layout. While making changes is a costly and undertaking them
shouldn’t be taken lightly, your layout should be flexible enough to allow
a redesign if the situation calls for it.
Is the process flow smooth? If you are running a factory, for example, the
flow should be such that the raw materials enter at one end and the
finished product exits at the other. The flow doesn’t have to form a
straight line, but there should be no backtracking. Backtracking creates
confusion. Employees get confused (“Has that been done yet? “), parts
get lost, and coordination is very difficult. You need to have a smooth
process to be efficient.
Are materials being handled efficiently? Here simplicity is best.
Does the facility layout aid the business in meeting its production needs?
Is there enough space and is it used efficiently? Have you allowed enough
space for shipping and receiving? Can different areas of the business
communicate effectively? Does the layout lend itself to promotional
activities? (e.g., showing the facilites to potential customers)
Does the layout contribute to employee satisfaction and moral?
Numerous studies have linked employee moral to productivity. So
managers should take this point into consideration when designing the
layout of their facilities. How can this be done? Paint the walls light
colors, allow for windows and space, include a cafeteria and a gym. Some
of the options may cost lots of money, but if it increases productivity in
the long run, it is probably worth making the investment.
An effective facility layout ensures that there is a smooth and steady flow of
production material, equipment and manpower at minimum cost.
Facility layout looks at physical allocation of space for economic activity in the
plant. Therefore, main objective of the facility layout planning is to design
effective workflow as to make equipment and workers more productive.
Inventory Management
Inventory management aims to strike a balance between the costs of holding too
much inventory and the costs of running out of stock.
Purchasing Management
Warehouse Management
The goal of warehouse management is to optimize the use of space and minimize the
cost of storing and handling materials.
MRP considers the lead time for ordering materials, the time required for production,
and the inventory levels of materials. MRP aims to ensure that suitable materials are
available at the right time and in the correct quantity to meet production needs.
Transportation Management
Right Material
The first objective of material management is to ensure that suitable materials are
available for production. It involves identifying the materials required for production
and ensuring that they are of the correct quality, specification, and quantity.
By ensuring that the right materials are available, companies can minimize the risk of
production delays and ensure customer satisfaction.
Right Time
The second objective of material management is to ensure that the right materials
are available at the right time. It involves managing the movement of materials
within the warehouse, reducing lead times, and improving the efficiency of delivery
processes.
Right Amount
The third objective of material management is to ensure that the right amount of
materials are available for production. It involves determining the optimal inventory
level to maintain and implementing processes to manage the movement of materials
within the warehouse.
By ensuring that the right amount of materials are available, companies can minimize
the risk of stock shortages, reduce the cost of storage and handling, and increase
efficiency.
Right Price
Right Sources
The fifth objective of material management is to ensure that materials are sourced
from the right sources. It involves identifying reliable suppliers, developing
partnerships with suppliers, and ensuring that materials are purchased from
approved suppliers only.
By sourcing materials from the right sources, companies can reduce the risk of
defective materials, minimize the risk of production delays, and ensure customer
satisfaction.