Please complete the following assignment

Please complete the following assignment

Homework Assignment

Complete both Scenarios

The following data consists of the actual time used and potential (the best time possible for this review process) to complete each step in the review process. The actual times are based on the review of 30 projects. The potential times are subjective engineering judgment estimates.

Table: Basic Data Review for Construction Project Equipment Arrangement

Cycle Time (hours)

Step

Description

Actual

Potential

Difference

1

Read basic data package

4

4

2

Write, type, proof, sign, copy, and distribute cover letter

21.9

0.5

21.4

3

Queue

40

0

40

4

Lead engineer calls key people to schedule meeting

4

0.25

3.75

5

Write, type, proof, sign, copy, and distribute confirmation letter

25.4

2.1

23.3

6

Hold meeting; develop path forward and concerns

4

4

7

Project leader and specialist develop missing information

12

12

8

Determine plant preferred vendors

12

12

9

Review notes from meeting

12

12

10

Resolve open issues

106

104

2

11

Write, type, proof, sign, copy, and distribute basic data acceptance letter

26.5

0.25

26.25

Totals

267.8

151.1

116.7

Use the data in the table above and answer the following questions in the space provided below:

  • What are the sources of value-added and non-value-added work in this process?
  • Where are the main opportunities to improve the cycle time of this process, with respect to both actual time used and the potential best times? What strategy would you use?
  • Step 10: Resolve Open Issues required 104 hours (potential) versus 106 hours (actual). Is there an OFI here? Why or why not? If so, how would you attack it?
  • What do you think are the most difficult critical issues to deal with when designing a sound cycle time study such as this one?


Discuss one (1) project where you used a problem-solving approach to address what turned out to be common-cause variation, or where you used a process improvement approach to deal with a special cause.

If you do not have a personal experience that echoes either of these situations, you may use the Internet to search for a case that reflects either of these situations.

Examples:

  • one’s personal investment strategy since 2008
  • reducing waiting times at the local hospital or emergency room
  • reducing difficulties trying to connect to a Wi-Fi Internet provider

Answer the following questions in the space provided below:

  • Describe the experience in the project.
  • What were the solutions used to address the problem?
  • Was the case you described a special-cause or common-cause?
  • Do you feel the solution or approach used appropriate for the cause?
  • What would you do if you could do it again?
  • What conclusions can you draw from the problem-solving or process-improvement techniques?

Note: You may create and / or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment. In your original work, you may use aspects of existing processes from either your current or a former place of employment. However, you must remove any and all identifying information that would enable someone to discern the organization(s) that you have used.