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Operation Management
Operation Management
Definition
Found In
Capital Requirement
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Outline the key considerations in facility design
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
facilities layout: Facility layout is simply the way a facility is
arranged in order to maximize processes that are not only
efficient but effective towards the overall organizational goal.
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.
There are three types of workflow layouts that managers can choose
from:
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.
Inventory Management
Inventory management involves the maintenance of a company's stock
of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished products. It includes
identifying the optimal inventory level to be maintained, determining
the reorder points, and ensuring that the inventory is stored correctly.
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
Purchasing management involves procuring raw materials, supplies, and
services required for production. It consists of the selection of suppliers,
negotiation of prices, preparation of purchase orders, and management of
supplier relationships.
Warehouse Management
Warehouse management involves the storage and handling of materials, as
well as the management of the physical movement of goods within a
warehouse. It includes receiving, storing, and shipping materials, as well as
managing inventory levels and the location of materials within the
warehouse.
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
Transportation management involves the physical movement of materials
from one location to another. It includes the selection of carriers,
negotiation of freight rates, preparation of shipping documents, and
management of delivery schedules. Transportation management aims to
ensure that the materials are delivered on time and at the lowest possible
cost.
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
The fourth objective of material management is to ensure that materials
are purchased at the right price. It involves negotiating with suppliers to
obtain the best possible prices and implementing cost-saving measures,
such as reducing waste, reducing lead times, and improving the efficiency
of delivery processes.
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.