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

Explain management''s responsibility regarding risk, There is a puzzle in r...

There is a puzzle in regard to risk. What is management's responsibility regarding risk? At what level(s) does each aspect of risk management lie?

Explain what is the capacity of the factory, Hickory Manufacturing Company ...

Hickory Manufacturing Company forecasts the following demand for a product (in thousands of units) over the next five years. Year 1 2 3 4 5 Forecast demand 60 79 81 84 84 Currently

PRoject, I need to chose a operations management concept or technique in or...

I need to chose a operations management concept or technique in order to help address the issue of the DFW security wait lines. This is a group project and my teammates have starte

Explain what are competencies, What are "competencies?" Explain, and provid...

What are "competencies?" Explain, and provide two or three examples.

Explain kudler fine food''s marketing strategy and tactics, Resources: Univ...

Resources: University Library, Kudler Fine Foods Virtual Organization Use the Virtual Organization link on the student website to access additional company information on Kudler

Rating, Rating, Performance and Units of Work - Process Design  Ratin...

Rating, Performance and Units of Work - Process Design  Rating is the assessment of the worker's rate of working relative to the observer's concept of the pace corresponding

Explain how much would land''s end buy, (Land's End) Geoff Gullo owns a sma...

(Land's End) Geoff Gullo owns a small firm that manufactures 'Gullo Sunglasses'. He has the opportunity to sell a particular seasonal model to Land's End. Geoff offers Land's End

Explain what problems does diversity present, Individual diversity is an im...

Individual diversity is an important concept in organizational behaviour. People can be described by a number of categories that are both inherent (e.g., age, race, gender, ethnici

What are the characteristics of total quality management, Q. What are the c...

Q. What are the characteristics of total quality management? Characteristics of total quality management: 1. Get this right first time philosophy 2. Continuous enhancemen

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