Harry Smith, the manager of the local branch of the state DMV, is attempting to

Question

Harry Smith, the manager of the local branch of the state DMV, is attempting to analyze the driver’s license renewal operation. He has completed the data collection and has the following information

State Automobile License-Renewals Process Times

Step

Average Time to Perform (seconds)

1. Review renewal application for correctness

15

2. Process and record payment

30

3. Check file for violations and restrictions

40

4. Conduct eye test

30

5. Photograph applicant

40

6. Issue temporary license

30

Harry found that each step was assigned to a different person. Each application is a separate process in the sequence shown above and when a worker is through with his work for one person, he starts the next person in line.

a - What is the maximum number of applications per hour that can be handled by the present process?

b - How many applications can be processed per hour if a second clerk is added to check for violations and restrictions while all other operations continue to have one clerk?  

Step

Average Time to Perform (seconds)

1. Review renewal application for correctness

15

2. Process and record payment

30

3. Check file for violations and restrictions

40

4. Conduct eye test

30

5. Photograph applicant

40

6. Issue temporary license

30

Explanation / Answer

a. There are total of 6 steps of the application process. Each step is assigned to a different person, which means each step can be performed simultaneously. Hoewever, one cycle will take 40 seconds, which is the maximum of the time taken by number 3, out of all the activities. which means a maximum of 90 (=3600/40) applications per hour can be processed by the present process .

b. Even after adding a second clerk for violations and restrictions, there's another critical activity, photograph application, which will take 40 seconds, so the cycle time will remain same, i.e. 40 seconds and only 90 applications can be processed per hour

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