The choice of methodology in trying to understand problems in aquarium manufacturing is very crucial in identifying the real problems that need to be addressed in the research for the company to achieve the expected improvements. Process mapping is one of the methods that were used to understand the manufacturing process in the aquarium. With this method it is easy to understand the flow of both information and physical products in the company from the time a customer places an order to the actual delivery of the order. This method is effective because it facilitated the understanding of the main activities that take place at various points. Based on this understanding, it is possible to identify the exact areas where there were delays, technical breakdown and other process related problems.
Process mapping identified specific activities such as the storage of raw materials. Under such a production activity it is possible to know who heads the department and what actually goes on at this particular section. Problems emanating form the storage of raw materials can easily be identified and investigated before moving on to the next stage in accordance to the layout.With process mapping there is no possibility of getting mixed up in the identification of the problems in aquarium manufacturing because of the simplified structure of the company’s layout. Indeed much time was saved with this methodology. This is because once concentration was on one activity, the team could not move to another one before identifying the problems.
Through process mapping it was also possible to understand the relationships that exist between the different sections of the manufacturing process.
Through this methodology more details could be captured in the manufacturing process. This is unlike other methods which cannot allow collection of more details as required.
A detailed study was necessary so as to establish the exact problems from a wider perspective and focus of finding lasting solutions to the aquarium manufacturing.
However with process mapping going into more details it means that time was consumed a lot in the study. This therefore called for more efforts and resources to oversee the successful identification of the problems affecting the manufacturing process.
More time and resources translated into more costs that were incurred in the course of utilizing process mapping as a methodology of identifying problems in process manufacturing.
Process mapping allowed the assessment of the manufacturing process according to the nature of activity. For instance there were activities that were value added while others were not. It is actually the nature of the activity helped to quickly identify the problem for instance the aquarium body production process was likely to produce defects if some time allocations were not strictly adhered to.
In conclusion, it is important to note that though this methodology encountered a few obstacles such as uncooperative staff, there was success at the end of the process. This was marked by the identification of three major problems in the aquarium manufacturing process. For instance it was able to clearly bring out that movement of work in progress is indeed a problem that affects manufacturing. This was mainly possible through the study of flow of materials and information through process mapping. Though the methodology might have faced one or two challenges, it is important that the overall objectives of finding the problems were realized.
Reference
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