Apply the Learning Curve Theory 8
Apply the Learning Curve Theory
Brandi Parkmond
OPS/ 571
August 26, 2010
Apply the Learning Curve Theory The saying “practice makes perfect” coincides with the learning curve theory businesses use today. Individuals and businesses use the learning curve theory for pricing strategies, capital investments, and operating costs. As Mario’s only grandchild, I have been given the opportunity to operate the famous pizzeria for two months. During this time, I will face the challenges of decreasing wait times, increasing production, and expanding the business. My goal is to measure the performance of the pizzeria and apply learning curve concepts to improve the existing processes of the company. Mario’s pizzeria uses performance metrics to gauge areas of improvement for the future.
Process performance metrics allow managers to evaluate the efficiency of a process and productivity changes over time (Nicholas J. Aquilano, Richard B. Chase, and F. Robert Jacobs, 2005) . In the simulation, process performance data is the number of weeks, number of customers for Groups of 2, number of customers for Groups of 4, the average wait time (min), queue length, and profit. We view efficiency (actual output/standard output), throughout time (average time for a unit to move through the system), productivity (output/input), operation times (setup time + run times), and cycle times (average time between completion of units). Currently the throughout time for each server is eight minutes from taking an order to presenting the customer with the bill. The efficiency is below is average considering the long wait times and customers who leave before receiving service. The operation time can increase with the purchase of a Plax oven in comparison to the manual ovens which can only produce four pizzas in eight minutes. The pizzeria’s productivity needs improvement to meet the future demand of customers. The pizzeria use learning curves concepts to test alternatives against the
Brandi Parkmond
OPS/ 571
August 26, 2010
Apply the Learning Curve Theory The saying “practice makes perfect” coincides with the learning curve theory businesses use today. Individuals and businesses use the learning curve theory for pricing strategies, capital investments, and operating costs. As Mario’s only grandchild, I have been given the opportunity to operate the famous pizzeria for two months. During this time, I will face the challenges of decreasing wait times, increasing production, and expanding the business. My goal is to measure the performance of the pizzeria and apply learning curve concepts to improve the existing processes of the company. Mario’s pizzeria uses performance metrics to gauge areas of improvement for the future.
Process performance metrics allow managers to evaluate the efficiency of a process and productivity changes over time (Nicholas J. Aquilano, Richard B. Chase, and F. Robert Jacobs, 2005) . In the simulation, process performance data is the number of weeks, number of customers for Groups of 2, number of customers for Groups of 4, the average wait time (min), queue length, and profit. We view efficiency (actual output/standard output), throughout time (average time for a unit to move through the system), productivity (output/input), operation times (setup time + run times), and cycle times (average time between completion of units). Currently the throughout time for each server is eight minutes from taking an order to presenting the customer with the bill. The efficiency is below is average considering the long wait times and customers who leave before receiving service. The operation time can increase with the purchase of a Plax oven in comparison to the manual ovens which can only produce four pizzas in eight minutes. The pizzeria’s productivity needs improvement to meet the future demand of customers. The pizzeria use learning curves concepts to test alternatives against the
References: Nicholas J. Aquilano, Richard B. Chase, and F. Robert Jacobs. (2005). Operations Management for Competitve Edge (11th Edition ed.). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies. University of Phoenix. (2010). Process Control and Problem Solving. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, Pizza Store Layout Simulation, OPS571- Operations Management course management.