$6\mathrm{.}4$ Applying theory to practice

Here is an opening thought to get you thinking about location issues and layout design. There are many examples from the press that we can

use to highlight location and layout issues, particularly a government$-$originated project such as a sports stadium or museum. Reflective

exercise $6\mathrm{.}1$ invites you to consider how your local library, supermarket or favourite restaurant operations are designed. When making

decisions, the Operations Manager will need to consider the criteria presented to decide on the location, layout type and consider any capacity

related issues.

In the exercise, you might wish to detail your justification and observations. It depends also on the context and the nature of environment that

the operation is part of$.$ The different layout types might be appropriate for different types of needs. It is important to note that the layout might

change based upon changes in the volume and variety characteristics. For example, $"$If you were making a sandwich for a friend how would you

do it$?"$ The discussion with your friend would need to centre on the kind of sandwich they want $($limited only by the availability of ingredients in

the kitchen$),$ when they wanted it $($it could be made to order$),$ and how much it could be customised $($more salt and pepper?$).$ If you were to

further ask, $"$If you were making sandwiches for a whole group of friends who were due to arrive in an hour's time, how would you change the

process?" It is likely that you would butter all the bread together, standardise the products to some extent, and so on$.$ Finally, you might wish to

ask, $"$If you were making $5,000$ sandwiches a day for a supermarket, how would you wish to organise the production system?" The answer you

would then expect would be an assembly line process. Therefore, even with a simple example, you can see the importance of volume and

variety on this decision.

Reflective Exercise $6\mathrm{.}1$

Consider the layout design of your local library, supermarket and favourite restaurant operations.

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