Implementation of production planning and scheduling systems at Synlait Milk Ltd. for its process manufacturing plant required a project be carried out. Socio-technical considerations as well as ease-of-use for the end-users of a planning system were found to be of the utmost importance in the implementation of a production planning and control system. Implementation options for the systems were weighed and a viable solution found.

Mapping a process enables a greater understanding of the work, and is standard to evaluate and improve a process. This thesis is conducted at Test Bed Mechanical Design at Scania in Södertälje. Test Bed Construction is a complex process, characterized by a large amount of creative work, technical challenges and coordination between different people and different organizational functions. The aim of the thesis was to identify the Test Bed Construction Process and to develop a visual model of the workflow that also served as support for the engineers in their daily work. During the mapping process, comparisons were made with previous research in lean product development to identify process improvement. A literature review on process mapping and process visualisation resulted in a method for process mapping. The study showed that research on process visualisation is neither structured nor well defined. Nevertheless, there are attempts to create a framework to facilitate the selection of modelling technology. The framework used in this thesis categorizes modelling techniques according to the purpose of the model and the models change tolerance. The literature review also led to the identification of a number of success factors for lean product development. A qualitative case study on UTTD mapped the Test Bed Construction Process as well as the engineer's experiences of their work process. The study resulted in a flow chart of the Test Bed Construction Process and a number of areas where the process could be improved. The process improvements essentially related procedures for documentation and coordination.

Problems in healthcare are difficult to comprehend due to complexity, involvement of multiple stakeholders in decision making and fragmented structure of delivery systems. Major Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) have been used to aid problem understanding which, in principle, can provide greater clarity to strategic problems and engage diverse decision makers using transparent representation that capture differing perceptions of problems. In reality, PSMs can be difficult in accurately representing problems, limited in highlighting improvement opportunities due to non-intuitive visual representations and requirements for facilitators and stakeholders to be experts in tools used. This research aims to address this gap by developing a framework, taking into account characteristics of healthcare delivery systems, advantages and limitations of PSMs with an aim of providing accurate and holistic representation of delivery workflow, so as to promote problem understanding in a rapid manner. The framework, termed CARE, first establishes nature of problem and a commonly agreed problem statement along with an understanding of stakeholder involvement and operating regulations. It then sets specific guidelines for data collection, representation, verification and validation from stakeholders and provides methodology for data analysis which allows facilitator insight into possible flaws in workflow. A case study approach is used to test effectiveness of CARE across two different healthcare settings, each involving a different nature of problem. Implementation of CARE leads to improved participation and ownership amongst stakeholders, ease of facilitation during individual or multidisciplinary meetings, intuitive and informative representation of workflow, minimized time and effort for implementation and minimized dependencies on learning new tools and terminologies. A post mortem indicates the positive impact of CARE on services rendered to the patients, leading to an increase in patient satisfaction and workflow efficiencies. The research concludes by noting the contributions and lessons learnt from this research for healthcare practitioners and possible future work.

Background: South Korea is one of the countries currently enforcing more strict emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, as a result of the global push to restrict pollution. In addition, there has been recent scandals involving several well-established automotive companies manipulating emissions tests and not fulfilling regulations. This has resulted in the government increasing the pressure for companies to apply the correct certifications even further. For companies to sell vehicles on the South Korean market, the vehicles must be certified and approved by the government, known as homologation. This process partly involves self-certification, meaning that companies are responsible for applying the correct certification themselves. It is therefore of great importance to have structured and clear processes to mitigate risks of error-making, in order to avoid financial and legal repercussions. Purpose: The study aims to identify and analyze the risks in error-making. Therefore, the purpose is to understand and propose improvement actions to the current homologation processes at Scania Korea Group. Method: The thesis utilized a case study strategy with a descriptive approach to illustrate the process. An exploratory approach was used in combination to identify risks and provide improvement actions. Qualitative data in conjunction with theory around business process improvement were utilized to fulfill the purpose. Firstly, interviews and focus groups were conducted to map the process. Thereafter, a failure mode and effect criticality analysis(FMECA) was used to analyze the process. Lastly, improvement actions were decided based on best practices and benchmarking. Findings and recommendations: The homologation process contain many high severity risks such as certifying the incorrect truck specifications or not complying with regulations, due to not updating the certifications when product changes occur. Furthermore, government approvals incorporate a substantial part of the process lead-time. As such, it is concluded that quality is of utmost importance, both to decrease lead-time and minimize risks with detrimental consequences. The analysis showed evidence of lacking controls/gates in the process, which enables errors and incorrect applications to move through. Improvements regarding increased project structure, planning and communication within SKG were suggested. Further improvement points were an increased number of controls and more clear delegation of responsibility. Recommendations for future studies: We propose to further investigate the root-causes of the inherent risks in the process. Future studies should also look to gather additional data from other heavy-duty automotive companies in South Korea, since it could provide deeper and more generalizable results. Lastly, we recommend future research to utilize a quantitative research approach, providing more statistical evidence.

Over the past nine years, the number of travelers traveling through Swedavia’s airports has increased significantly. The increase has placed a high demand on Stockholm Arlanda Airport’s infrastructural capacity. In order to avoid major expenses on the development of the terminal buildings Swedavia has developed a project called “Off Airport Bagdrop”, which gives the travelers the opportunity to leave their luggage at a location outside the airport. This way the number of passengers and luggage in the departure hall at Terminal 5 can be reduced. The thesis examines how the service can be developed, what is needed for it to work as well as which problems must be solved. A process map and a timeline have been created to visualize the luggage handling process and its lead times. With data gathered through interviews and observations, three solutions have been identified. The best solution, with Swedavia’s perspective in mind, has then been selected. The solutions identified in the report are as follows: • A permanent “Off Airport Bagdrop” at Stockholm Central station where travelers in the vicinity of central Stockholm have the possibility to check in their luggage and get it transferred to the airport to then be able to tour the city or run errands. • The long-term parking Alfa and Beta at Arlanda where the travelers who arrive with their cars have the possibility to check in their luggage at the parking lot. This way they can begin their journey more comfortably • A “Pop Up”-service targeting group bookings, events and sport holiday travelers by providing temporary “Drop Off Points” at selected locations. We conclude that the latter alternative, the “Pop Up”-service, solves the capacity problem in the best way. This alternative is also the easiest to implement and captures the large number of passengers and luggage that create the capacity problem at Arlanda.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T19:13:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 25 / Nenhuma / O tema desta dissertação consiste em associar a gestão de custos com duas ferramentas de análise que são: mapeamento de processos e simulação. Neste sentido, o objetivo principal foi de verificar a contribuição do mapeamento de processos e da simulação como procedimentos de apoio à gestão de custos no processo de registros e matrículas da Universidade de Cruz Alta - UNICRUZ. Trata-se de um estudo aplicado e quantitativo, pois foram coletados dados, como por exemplo, taxa de atendimento e taxa de chegada, analisados estatisticamente e, posteriormente, foram construídos os modelos de simulação e dois cenários de cada modelo para a análise final. Ao final se comprova a contribuição do mapeamento de processos e da simulação como ferramenta de apoio à gestão de custos, na medida em que a metodologia utilizada contribuiu na melhoria da qualidade, no alinhamento dos processos e na gestão dos custos. / The theme of this dissertation consists of associating the costs management with two tools of analysis: processes mapping and simulation. In this sense, the main objective was to verify the contribution of the processes mapping and simulation as support procedures to the costs management on the registrations and enrollments of the Cruz Alta University – UNICRUZ. This was an applied and quantitative study once there was collection of data, such as service rate and students’ arrival rate, both analyzed under statistical procedures and later originated simulation models and two scenarios of each model for the final analysis. At the end of the study, it is proved the contribution of the process mapping and simulations as important support tools to the costs management, since the used methodology contributed in the improvement of the quality, in the alignment of the processes and in the costs management.

A melhoria de processos é um tema abordado em diversos setores. Este trabalho concentrou-se na melhoria do processo de produção de tecidos metálicos usados como material de reforço na fabricação de pneus radiais. O estudo foi realizado em uma indústria fabricante de pneus, em uma calandra de configuração Z e teve como objetivo aprofundar os conhecimentos a respeito deste processo identificando oportunidades de melhorias para reduzir perdas causadas por problemas qualitativos. Além disso, buscou melhorar a qualidade percebida pelo cliente interno sem afetar a qualidade do produto final, percebida pelo cliente externo. Para tanto, foi realizado um mapeamento do processo produtivo em questão, seguido de um estudo do efeito das temperaturas neste processo. O mapeamento mostrou que muitas etapas possuem influência direta na qualidade dos tecidos, as oportunidades de melhoria foram destacadas durante e após o mapeamento e estão relacionadas principalmente ao controle das temperaturas da calandra e dos moinhos, à automatização do processo, aos procedimentos operacionais e à instalação de dispositivos de controle e alerta. Uma vez que o controle das temperaturas de toda a linha da calandra resultou ser um fator crítico para o processo, realizou-se um estudo do efeito das temperaturas usadas durante a produção, a partir do uso da metodologia de Projeto de Experimentos com a aplicação de um Projeto Fatorial 25-1 sem repetição Quatro variáveis de resposta foram estudadas: quantidade de grumos pré-vulcanizados, aderência tecido-tecido, reversão de enxofre e adesão borracha-metal. Os fatores controláveis usados foram: temperatura dos moinhos alimentadores, temperatura dos cilindros 1 e 4, temperatura dos cilindros 2 e 3, temperatura dos tambores de resfriamento e temperatura do aquecimento das cordas metálicas. Pela otimização das variáveis de resposta, chegou-se aos valores ótimos para o processo, sendo todos eles no seu nível alto, com exceção da temperatura dos cilindros 2 e 3 que apresentou o melhor valor no nível baixo. Os resultados deste trabalho aprofundaram os conhecimentos num processo que, apesar de muito antigo, ainda possui poucos textos publicados a respeito. Adicionalmente, forneceu uma otimização experimental para as afirmações encontradas na literatura sobre a importância do controle de temperaturas no processo de fabricação de tecidos metálicos. / The process improvement is a topic widely used in several sectors. In this work this topic deals with improving the production process of metallic fabrics used as reinforcement material for radial tires. The study was carried out in a tire industry in a Z configuration calender and aims to deepen the knowledge about this process by identifying improvement opportunities to reduce losses caused by quality problems in metallic fabrics. It also seeks to improve the quality perceived by internal costumer without affecting the quality of the final product, perceived by the external customer. Thus, a mapping of the production process in question was made, followed by a study of the effect of temperature in this manufacturing process. The mapping shown that many steps have direct influence on fabric quality, the opportunities for improvement were highlighted during and after the mapping and are related mainly to control the temperature of the calender and mills, to process automation, operational procedures and the installation of devices for control and alert. Since the temperature control of whole calender line proved to be a critical factor in the process, a study of the effect of the temperatures used during the production was performed from the use of the design of experiments methodology with the application of a factorial design 25-1, without replication Four response variables were studied: number of pre vulcanized lumps, tack, sulfur reversion and steel-rubber adhesion. The controllable factors chosen were: feeder mills temperature, temperature of rolls 1 and 4 of the calender, temperature of rolls 2 and 3 of the calender, temperature of cooling drums and heating temperature of steel cords. By the optimization of the response variables, it was reached the optimum values for the process, all of which are in its high level except for the temperature of the rolls 2 and 3 which showed the best value in the low level. These results obtained deepened knowledge in a process which, though very old, still has a few articles published. Additionally, it provided quantitative data to the statements found in the literature about the importance of temperature control in the manufacturing process of metallic fabrics.

This report shows the value of knowing your processes inside a company. The methods used in to do this have been first of all through process mapping and for in depth study, process cards were used to measure the process time and total lead time. This showed the location of bottlenecks and overall process capacity. With the data collected, suggestion on how to decrease storage, throughput time and total lead time is given.The study has been conducted at Intelbras in San Jose, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Intelbras is a telecommunication company which produces telephones, security cameras and switchboards. Two production processes is studied, the Telefone Sem fio, SFL, which produce cordless telephones and Central, CAL, which produce switchboards.Through simulation this paper shows improvement suggestions on how to better handle the flow of material by introducing sequencing into the production and FIFO in the storage handling, everything in order to decrease total lead time and increasing throughput time.Process mapping has proved to be a great tool in order to understand how a production process works and integrates with other departments. In supplement of process cards, valuable data is collected and used for analysing further improvements such as making a balancing program and calculating where and how big buffers is needed at different processes. / Program: Industriell ekonomi - arbetsorganisation och ledarskap

A imprevisibilidade dos acontecimentos que se transformarão em notícia e a necessidade de cumprir um horário de fechamento diário tornam o trabalho em redação de jornal uma atividade sob a constante pressão de fatores internos e externos. Premidos pelo tempo, a todo instante editores precisam decidir rapidamente se apostam ou não em um fato como notícia, que grau de complexidade darão à pauta, se o repórter vai para a rua buscar informações, quantas e quais pessoas devem ser ouvidas, qual espaço o assunto irá ocupar na edição. E, principalmente, como garantir que o resultado dessas decisões seja uma informação de qualidade, correta, imparcial e com credibilidade. Neste contexto, esta dissertação tem a finalidade de contribuir para a identificação de quais fatores afetam a produção de uma notícia, impactando na qualidade da informação que chega ao leitor. A partir de uma abordagem transdisciplinar, com conceitos teóricos das áreas de Comunicação, Gestão de Processos e Qualidade da Informação, se constituiu um estudo de caso fundamentado por meio de pesquisa de natureza aplicada. Inicialmente, foi realizado um mapeamento do processo em uma Redação de jornal impresso, buscando identificar fluxos de produção e pontos críticos. Em um segundo momento, foram ouvidos sete editores que atuam na empresa, utilizando o Método Delphi, com o objetivo de entender quais são as principais interferências no dia a dia da Redação e como elas afetam o texto jornalístico. Ao analisar o impacto do tempo na produção do jornal, os entrevistados reconhecem prejuízos especialmente na etapa de apuração dos fatos, quando o repórter coleta informações e realiza entrevistas. Também destacam a importância da etapa de checagem de dados. O resultado são notícias publicadas sem contextualização, com imprecisão ou erro nas informações e textos inconsistentes. Em relação à rotina dos repórteres, ficou evidenciado que as maiores dificuldades estão em obter um ângulo diferente da notícia e ter acesso a fontes e dados dentro do prazo disponível. Entender os fatores intervenientes na produção da notícia e antecipar-se a eles permite garantir aos jornalistas elaborarem com mais frequência a notícia ideal, definida pelos entrevistados como aquela que tem contextualização, pluralidade, interpretação e criatividade. / The unpredictability of events that will be converted into news, and the need to comply with daily deadlines turn the newspaper newsroom work into an activity under constant pressure by internal and external factors. At all times, editors have to make several quick decisions, such as whether they bet on a given fact as news, whether the reporter will gather information in the streets or contact the sources by telephone, the best approach for the event, how many and what sort of people must be heard, where to collect data, how to write clearly and attractively for the reader. Moreover, how to guarantee that such decisions will result in accurate, unbiased and reliable information. Within this context, this thesis aims at contributing to the identification of internal and external factors that affect news production, and impact the quality of information that reaches the reader. Resting on a transdisciplinary approach, and employing theoretical concepts from the Communication, Process Management, and Information Quality areas, a case study was built based on applied research. Firstly, the process in a print newspaper newsroom was mapped seeking to identify production flows and critical points. In a second moment, by using Delphi Method seven editors who work in the company were heard with the objective to understand the overriding interferences in the newsroom daily activities, and how they affect the journalistic text. When analyzing the impact of time on newspaper production, the interviewees recognize harmful effects specially during the stage of fact ascertainment, when the reporter collects information and conducts interviews. The editors also highlight the significance of the data cheking stage. The outcome will be non-contextualized news, innacurate or mistaken information and text inconsistency. Regarding the reporters routine, it is evident that the biggest difficulties are in obtaining a different angle from a given piece of news, and gaining access to sources and data within the available time span. Understanding the intervening factors of news production, and being ahead of them might assure to journalists the development of the ideal piece of news more often, which according to the interviewees is that one containing contextualization, plurality, interpretation and creativity.

<p>Our work focuses on an analysis of the processes for full and partial annealing of aluminium coils. Due to inefficient production management these processes show high inventory levels, long lead times and decreased delivery performance. </p><p>We have also found inadequacies in the ways costs for these processes are distributed. We have established a new process mapping by initially investigating the strategic dimensions of the company and the processes for annealing, in order to later on establish performance measures congruent with the business objectives. Furthermore we have conducted extensive calculations and analyses to facilitate the successful implementation of a Just-in-time production philosophy, including necessary process improvements and redesigns to be made. Our proposed changes will lead to shorter lead times and low levels of WIP, which are important success factors of a JIT-based production philosophy. </p><p>To do this we have developed a capacity analysis tool with which it is also possible to analyse other processing scenarios or the effect of load changes and/or product mix variations. This tool can also serve as a benchmark for capacity analysis of other processes. </p><p>Finally, we have been able to establish more accurate costs per machine hour for full and partial annealing to be implemented in the managerial system. We believe that the processes for annealing are not the only ones suffering from poor cost control, why we would suggest that Sapa Heat Transfer investigates the cost distribution in more processes, and also develops and follows better guidelines for cost control.</p>