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 the amount of time covered by the basic mrp, The amount of time cov...

The amount of time covered by the basic MRP record is called the _____. time bucket new horizon time horizon planning horizon

Explain processes losses be avoided, What are some processes losses that ar...

What are some processes losses that are likely to occur in teams such as those at ICU Medical Inc? How can these processes losses be avoided?

Business organisation functions, ''OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IS THE CENTRAL TO ...

''OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IS THE CENTRAL TO THE FUNCTIONING OF ALL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS''.with reference to the organisation of your choice discuss this statement highlighting how

Describe analyze the elements of a typical scope statement, Analyze the ele...

Analyze the elements of a typical scope statement and the significance of each element. As a project leader, determine how you would communicate the scope of a project to the proje

Explain what is the probability that both are successful, DO NOT WORK A com...

DO NOT WORK A company is considering producing two new electronic games designed for the popular Gameboy toy. Based on market data, management believes there is a 60 percent chance

Explain significant differences between x.25 and frame relay, Name two sign...

Name two significant differences between X.25 and frame relay?

Explain what steps can the uaw take, The United Auto Workers union enters i...

The United Auto Workers union enters into contract negotiations with the Ford Motor Company in Michigan. What are the three main subject areas the UAW can negotiate with Ford? Prov

Explain human resource management process first step, Explain the first ste...

Explain the first step in the Human Resource Management Process. What is the "De-recruitment", and how might it relate to this first step?

Characteristics of continuous or flow production, Characteristics of Contin...

Characteristics of Continuous or Flow Production Flow of Material: The flow of materials is continuous and there is little or no queuing at any stage of processing. Mac

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