Time lag effects - operations function, Operation Management

Assignment Help:

Time Lag Effects - Operations Function

Feedback control in complex systems can bring its own problems, due to time lag between measuring the output deviation and realising the effects of the corrective adjustments. A well-known illustration of this phenomenon was presented by Jay W Forrester in his book, Industrial Dynamics. He had been consulted by a white goods manufacturing concern which had been experiencing wildly fluctuating production levels over a period of years; despite the best efforts of the company's management they had been unable to keep production output in reasonable balance with customer demand. Forrester and his team studied the operations of the company's distribution chain (shown in simplified form in the figure) and formulated a computer simulation model of the factory - warehouse - distributor - retailers.

1355_Time Lag Effects – Operations Function.png

The figure below (adapted from Forrester, 1965) shows the results obtained when a 10 per cent step-increase in demand at the retail outlets was introduced. This chart is necessarily 'cluttered', to show how the various order, inventory and production levels changed in response to the initial increase in sales.

1964_Time Lag Effects – Operations Function 1.png

For our purposes it will be sufficient if you locate the two lines labeled 'Retail sales' and 'Factory production output'. It was found that, because of a series of time-lags in the chain, the feedback signal was greatly amplified by the time it reached the factory, resulting in over-reaction. Note that the production level climbs by 45 per cent, creating an excessive build up of inventories. In response the production level falls to 3 per cent less than the original level, and so on. It takes about 18 months for the fluctuations to be damped out.


Related Discussions:- Time lag effects - operations function

Find what is the economic order quantity, The Central Valve Company sells i...

The Central Valve Company sells industrial valves and fluid control devices. One of Central's most popular valves, the Western, has an annual demand of 6,000 units. The price of ea

Explain adaption and culture shock, The first response to unfamiliar surrou...

The first response to unfamiliar surrounds, like those encountered in an overseas assignment, is: Answer: a. Adaption b. Culture shock c. Fascination d. Reverse culture shock

Why are flexible organisations required, Why are flexible organisations req...

Why are flexible organisations required? Flexible organisations : Workforce flexibility will be required because of uncertain market circumstances or seasonal changes into

Describe how personal selling can help solve the problem, Explain how perso...

Explain how personal selling can help solve the problem of information overload.

Explain a corporation is chartered under state laws, A corporation a. is...

A corporation a. is chartered under state laws. b. is chartered under federal laws c. remains in existence only as long as its owners are alive. d. shifts liability of

SEQUENCING PROBLEM, HOW TO SOLVE SEQUENCING PROBLEM FOR N-JOB AND M-MACHINE...

HOW TO SOLVE SEQUENCING PROBLEM FOR N-JOB AND M-MACHINES

Explain what is strategic human resources management, What is Strategic Hum...

What is Strategic Human Resources Management and how does it link the people with the strategic needs of the business?

Explain what are the major problem issues facing sandy, After reading the C...

After reading the Concluding Case entitled "Barbara's World of Windows, Fabrics, and Accessories", what are the major problem issues facing Sandy, and what specific recommendations

Computed marginal profit for various costing profiles, An HMO requests your...

An HMO requests your hospital services for its obstetrics division. It offers to pay your hospital $2,000 for a vaginal delivery without complications (DRG 373). You look at the St

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd