Why layout planning is necessary

The key to good facility layout and design is the integration of the needs of people personnel and customers , materials raw, finishes, and in process , and machinery in such a way that they create a single, well-functioning system.

Small business owners need to consider many operational factors when building or renovating a facility for maximum layout effectiveness. These criteria include the following:. Essentially, there are two distinct types of layout. Product layout is synonymous with assembly line and is oriented toward the products that are being made. Process layout is oriented around the processes that are used to make the products.

Generally, product layout is applicable for high-volume repetitive operations, while process layout is applicable for low-volume custom-made goods. Offices and manufacturing facilities are typically designed in much different ways—a reflection of the disparate products that the two entities make. A layout criterion is minimization of transportation cost. Layout requirements can also differ dramatically by industry.

The needs of service-oriented businesses, for instance, are often predicated on whether customers receive their services at the physical location of the business such as at a bank or pet grooming shop, for instance or whether the business goes to the customer's home or place of business to provide the service as with exterminators, home repair businesses, plumbing services, etc.

In the latter instances, these businesses will likely have facility layouts that emphasize storage space for equipment, chemicals, and paperwork rather than spacious customer waiting areas. Manufacturers may also have significantly different facility layouts, depending on the unique needs that they have. After all, the production challenges associated with producing jars of varnish or mountaineering equipment are apt to be considerably different than those of making truck chassis or foam beach toys.

Retail outlets comprise yet another business sector that has unique facility layout needs. Such establishments typically emphasize sales floor space, inventory logistics, foot-traffic issues, and overall store attractiveness when studying facility layout issues. Konz also observed that differences in factory and office layouts can often be traced to user expectations. Rank expects more privacy and more plush physical surroundings.

Given these emphases, it is not surprising that, as a general rule, office workers will enjoy advantages over their material production brethren in such areas as ventilation, lighting, acoustics, and climate control. August Cornacchia, Anthony J. In many work environments, such as office settings, face-to-face interaction between workers is important.

Proper layout planning can be critical in building good working relationships, increasing the flow of information, and improving communication. Similarly, in retail Skip to main content. Start your free trial.

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