LOW-VOLUME OPERATIONS
Low-volume or job-shop operations are used for high-quality, customized products such as custom stereo systems or custom automobile paint jobs, or for services such as personal fitness, with higher profit margins. Companies with low-volume operations use highly skilled employees, general-purpose equipment, and a process layout. The objective is flexibility, both in product variation and product volume. Equipment is not dedicated to particular jobs but is available for all jobs. In low-volume operations, products are made to order. Each product or service can have its own routing through a unique sequence of workstations, processes, materials, or setups. As a result, scheduling is complex. The workload must be distributed among the work centers or service personnel. A useful tool for viewing the schedule and workload is a Gantt chart. Let's look at how a Gantt chart is used.
Personal trainer looks on.
Gantt Chart
Gantt charts are named after Henry Gantt, who developed these charts in the early 1900s. A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a schedule over time. Two kinds of Gantt charts are the load chart and the progress chart.
Gantt chart
Planning and control chart designed to graphically show workloads or to monitor job progress.
Load chart
A chart that ...
