1. Systems and Optimization

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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