Sequential versus Parallel Processes

Question 1

Sequential versus Parallel Processes

Answer 1

Sequential process:

Process where a work is divided in a series of specialized tasks. Employees are assigned to a specific part of the process

Parallel process:

Process where each employee realizes all tasks, independently for the others.

Question 2

Production Rate of a Process

Answer 2

Sequential process: The rate of the process is equal to the rate of the bottleneck.

Parallel process: The rate of the process is equal to the sum of rates of each working station (performing all the tasks) of the process.
Calculation Methodology:

Sum of standard times for each workstation;

Unit rate = 60 min. / sum of standard times;

Total rate = No. of employees X unit rate.

Question 3

Utilization Rate of a Worker

Answer 3

When part of an operation is done by a machine, the utilization rate of a worker is the proportion of time worked by the employee versus the total standard time of the operation.

(Total standard time – Machine time)
Total standard time

Question 4

Continuous Improvement

Answer 4

Eliminating waste
Reducing standard times
Reducing set-up times (Single Minute Exchange Die, SMED)