Systems and Optimization

What is a System? Means of achieving a desired result Has an input, process, output, and feedback loops Can be considered a way of thinking Break problems down into sub-systems to simplify the approach

Input Fall into several categories and can be in many forms Top three forms: People Data Time

Top Three Forms of Input People Ability to control own environments Design products to safeguard a want or need from one person to millions of people Data Most critical inputs an engineer has to attack a problem All around us from bank accounts to sports scores Time Works as a factor if limited amounts available Enemy or friend

Processes Actions can be completed in different ways Research, design, development, problem solving, and production Involves communication and input Parts designed here may very well be produced in other countries

World of Manufacturing Ideas and concepts that revolutionized manufacturing industry are a result of globalization Blended best practices and procedures gained from integration of systems and concepts from engineers

3 Major Parts of Production Routing Production planners/Industrial Engineers determine exact route an item will travel to be assembled well before item is manufactured Scheduling Materials, workers facilities, and machinery Customer orders, market analysis surveys, and evaluation of competition’s product determine how many Controlling Product level data reports, quality control, work in progress checks on product (Reject, Reworks, Accepted Parts

Work in Progress Ratings Rejects Do not meet standards or cannot be repaired Reworks Items that fail to meet standards but can be repaired Accepted Parts Meet company standards for that point in the process

Output Could be goods or services, products, structures, messages, people moved from point A to point B Anticipated Outcomes What you wanted to occur Unwanted Outputs Pollution (air, water, chemical by-products), scraps, waste, noise-pollution

Feedback Generates data that allows user, consumer product, system, or company to make to informed decisions of what comes next If this info is ignored or mechanical system does not respond Entire system jeopardized Could fail catastrophically

Optimization “The procedure or procedures used to make a system or design as effective or functional as possible, especially the mathematical techniques involved” -Webster’s Dictionary Doing the most with least Can save companies millions of dollars Moves the innovation process further Converts abstract ideas and alternatives into practical solutions and plans