THE SYSTEMATIC LAYOUT PLANNING
Systematic refers to an organized, disciplined, to a problem or project assigned.
Systematic layout planning is an organized way to conduct layout planning, it consists of a framework of phases, a pattern of procedures and a set of conventions for identifying , rating and visualizing the elements and areas involved in a plan.
SLP is a framework of four planning phases:
- Analysis
- Search
- Evaluation
- Selection
Each layout rests on three fundamentals
RELATIONSHIPS – Degree of closeness desired among things
SPACE – The amount, kind, shape of config of the things to be laid out
ADJUSTMENTS – Arrangement of things into a realistic best fit
These are the heart of any layout plan regardless of products, processes or size.
There are 20 steps in SLP Pattern:
- Procure data
- Analyze data
- Design production process
- Design material flow pattern
- Select/ design material handling plan
- Calculate requirement of equipments
- Plan work areas
- Select material handling equipments
- Plan group of related operations
- Design activity relationship
- Calculate space requirements
- Plan service activities
- Calculate total space requirements
- Allocate activities to space
- Consider building types
- Construct model layout
- Evaluate, adjust, and check layout
- Justify
- Install
- Nurture layout
Data input of the pattern is most significant in a process and by planning the layout around the sequence and intensity of material movement we attain a progressive flow thru the areas involved. In addition many supporting service
areas. must be planned & integrated, thus developing activity relationships.
These are combined into Flow and / or Activity Relationship diagram. Here activities, departments or areas are geographically related to each other without consideration of actual space required Next the space requirements are developed from process machinery and equipment necessary or service facilities involved Area requirements must be balanced against space available. Then the area allowed for each activity ishung on the activity relationship diagram to form a Space Relationship Diagram.
This is essentially a layout but is not effective unless adjusted or manipulated to integrate with space and modifying considerations hence we get various alternatives and each must be tested against practical limitations like :
•cost
•safety
•employee preference
Remember each alternative has to work the problem lies in which one to select at this point a cost analysis of some kind should be made for comparison and justification as a result one may be chosen although
frequently a modification or combination of two or more layouts may be chosen this completes phase II !
Allan H Mogensen developed a simplification check which challenges each step in the process
routing as below
• ELIMINATE- is the operation Necessary or
can it be eliminated
•COMBINE – can the opeartion be combined
with some other action or
operation
•CHANGE SEQUENCE,
PLACE OT PERSON- Can these be changed or
rearranged ?
• IMPROVE DETAILS -can the method of operation
or equipment be improved
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