Case: Efficiency Analysis in Apex Precision Tools' Single$-$Machine Workshop

Apex Precision Tools operates a specialized workshop with a single machine that handles various

tasks. The company's current scheduling protocol is based on the order of job arrival, which has

led to concerns about efficiency and meeting deadlines.

The workshop recently received a batch of five jobs, designated as A$,$ B$,$ C$,$ D$,$ and E$.$ Each job

has a unique processing time and a set due date, as follows:

$$ Job A: Processing Time $-6$ days, Due Date $-10$ days hence

$$ Job B: Processing Time $-4$ days, Due Date $-7$ days hence

$$ Job C: Processing Time $-5$ days, Due Date $-15$ days hence

$$ Job D: Processing Time $-8$ days, Due Date $-18$ days hence

$$ Job E: Processing Time $-3$ days, Due Date $-13$ days hence

Management at Apex Precision Tools is considering the implementation of more strategic

scheduling methods to improve workflow and meet deadlines more consistently. The two

methods under consideration are Shortest Processing Time $($SPT$)$ and Earliest Due Date $($EDD$).$

Your role is to analyze which scheduling strategy $-$ SPT or EDD $-$ is more effective for Apex

Precision Tools. Your analysis should focus on optimizing the operational efficiency, considering

average job completion times, machine utilization, average no of jobs in the system, and overall

system latency. Conclude with a recommendation for the most suitable scheduling strategy,

supported by your findings and calculations. This comprehensive analysis will guide Apex

Precision Tools in enhancing its operational workflow and meeting client deadlines more

effectively