Please see response attached (also below). I hope this helps and take care.

RESPONSE:

a) Is this process-focused manufacturing? Why?

By definition, it appears to be an example of process-focused manufacturing. For example, process-focused factories are often called job shops, much as described in the above scenario e.g. assembling parts to produce the lawn mowers. A job shop's work centers are organized around similar types of equipment or operations, like we see at Lawn Animal (e.g. the main mower platform, which is purchased from a supplier, is de-burred and painted; then the wheels and handle are attached to the main mower platform; then the motor is installed on the main mower platform; and, finally, the controls are installed and the mower is tested). In process-focused manufacturing, workers and machines are also flexible and can be assigned to and reassigned to many different orders. And, although helpful, job shops are complex to schedule. http://road.uww.edu/road/housemaj/Ch12ShopFloorPlanningandControl.ppt

Pre-production planning is part of the process-focused manufacturing:

? Design the product in customer order,
? Plan the operations the product must pass through ..... this is the routing plan,
? Work moves between operations on a move ticket.

Common Shop Floor Control Activities in process-focused manufacturing are as follows (which appears to be the structure of Lawn Animal), which makes for a more efficient and leaner process of manufacturing.

? The production control department controls and monitors order progress through the shop.
? Assigns priority to order
? Issues dispatch list
? Tracks WIP and keeps systems updated
? Controls input-output between work centers
? Measures efficiency, utilization, and productivity of shop http://road.uww.edu/road/housemaj/Ch12ShopFloorPlanningandControl.ppt
Assigning jobs to work centers based on how many jobs/day/work Center:
? Infinite loading - assigns jobs to work centers without regard to capacity.. large queues
? Finite loading - uses work center capacity to schedule orders. .. popular scheduling approach
? . . . more http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:YtkZpKXHMxQJ:road.uww.edu/road/housemaj/Ch12ShopFloorPlanningandControl.ppt+what+is+process-focused+manufacturing&hl=en&gl=ca&ct=clnk&cd=1

b) How can scheduling make this process more efficient?

Scheduling makes this process more efficient and lean by assigning jobs to work centers and deciding which job gets built first.

? Forward scheduling - jobs are given earliest available time slot in operation... excessive WIP
? Backward scheduling - start with promise date and work backward through operations reviewing lead times to determine when a job has to pass through each operation .. less WIP but must have accurate lead times

There is several order sequencing problems that need to be addressed (based on order sequencing rules) such as:

? We want to determine the sequence in which we will process a group of waiting orders at a work center.
? Many different sequencing rules can be followed in setting the priorities among orders.
? There are numerous criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the sequencing rules.

Order sequencing rules help the manager in prioritizing jobs and activities based on process efficiency. For example, sequencing rules include:

? First-Come First-Served (FCFS)
? Shortest Processing Time
? Earliest Due Date
? Critical Ratio - (time to due date/total remaining production time)
? Least Changeover Cost http://road.uww.edu/road/housemaj/Ch12ShopFloorPlanningandControl.ppt

Clearly, scheduling makes for a more efficient process related to time, cost and effort. It becomes a lean manufacturing process.

See notes for the power point at http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:YtkZpKXHMxQJ:road.uww.edu/road/housemaj/Ch12ShopFloorPlanningandControl.ppt+what+is+process-focused+manufacturing&hl=en&gl=ca&ct=clnk&cd=1 for further information on the role of scheduling in process-focused manufacturing.

FINAL COMMENTS I HOPE THIS HELPS AND TAKE CARE.