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Dissertation
An analysis of cycle-time and throughput dependencies in production-type business processes
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-325
Abstract
This research examines the relationships between local performance factors and global outcomes (throughput and cycle time) for production-type business processes. Local factors are defined as input (mean and variation), number of performers, performance time (mean and variation) and scrap (discontinued work). A series of data-efficient context-based relationships are established between local factors and global outcomes. These heuristics relate the direction of change in a local factor to the direction of impact on global outcomes. A series of iThink simulation models is used to develop relationships between local factors and global outcomes for single-node systems under bottlenecked and non-bottlenecked conditions. Applying these relationships, expected outcomes are proposed for the behavior of multi-node systems; i.e, the impact of local changes on global outcomes. iThink simulation models are used to validate the expected behavior of the multi-node systems. Three special cases are also tested: 1) In systems with parallel paths, can Little's Law be used to identify the pacing path?, 2) In systems with rework, can rework be translated into changes in number of performers or performance time and the multi-node relationships still hold? 3) In systems with multiple product types, do changes in processing priority have the same impact as changes in the number of servers? Application of these heuristics requires no data; only knowledge of where an activity lies relative to the last bottleneck on the pacing path and whether or not the activity itself is bottlenecked. These findings are expected to have significance in three areas: integrated process management, simulation software, management techniques. In integrated business environments, emerging dashboard type tools offer the opportunity to monitor and manage real-time process performance. The level of detail available in these systems is sufficient for real-time application of the heuristics presented in this research. Simulation-light software packages may be developed that perform data-efficient (heuristic-based) analysis to perform scenario testing and generate directional outcomes. The management implication of this research is that management objectives related to departmental or "local" performance should be specific to the context of the local activity, related to where it is relative to the pacing path and bottlenecking status.
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Details
- Title
- An analysis of cycle-time and throughput dependencies in production-type business processes
- Creators
- Vera Jean Cole - DU
- Contributors
- Gregory W. Hislop (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Information Science and Technology (1995-2013); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 325; 991014632305104721