Techniques for Operations Analysis - Chapter 9 - Charting and Diagramming

Oct 26, 2026

Chapter 9 explains charting and diagramming techniques used in operations analysis to communicate work processes clearly and support algorithmic, structured evaluation. It introduces how to analyze charts and diagrams through methods such as algorithmic analysis, line balancing, critical path concepts, checklists, and value-added versus non-value-added separation. It categorizes network diagrams, traditional industrial engineering charts, and operation charts, detailing their elements, arrow/node relationships, and typical applications like assembly line balancing and CPM/PERT.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Objectives of Charts and Diagrams

How to Analyze the Chart or Diagram

Categories of Charts and Diagrams

Network Diagrams (Precedence diagram)

Traditional Industrial Engineering Charts and Diagrams

Operation Charts

Checklist of Questions Used to Analyze an Operation Chart

Techniques for Operations Analysis Chapter 9 Sections: 1. Overview of Charting and Diagramming Techniques 2. Network Diagram 3. Traditional Engineering Charting and Diagramming Techniques - Operation Charts - Process Charts - Flow Diagram - Activity Charts Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. , Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. Charting and Diagramming Objectives of Charts and Diagrams 1. To permit work processes to be communicated and comprehended more readily 2. To use algorithms specifically designed for the particular diagramming technique 3. To divide a give work process into its constituent elements for analysis purposes 4. To provide a structure in the search for improvements 5. To represent a proposed new work process or method Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. , Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. How to Analyze the Chart or Diagram 􀂃 Algorithmic analysis 􀂃 Line balancing (e.g. , calculation of the minimum number of workstations and cycle time), critical path methods (e.g. , calculation the longest path time in network diagram) 􀂃 Checklists 􀂃 General questions applied to the particular process to assess whether they can be applied to the problem of interest 􀂃 Brainstorming 􀂃 Team activity in which participants contribute recommendations 􀂃 Separating value-added and non-value-added operations -value-added are operations that: (1) the customer considers important (2) Physically change the product or service -Non-value-added operations are such as : rework, delays, unnecessary inspections and unnecessary moves. Categories of Charts and Diagrams 1. Network diagrams 2. Traditional industrial engineering charts and diagrams 􀂃 Operation charts 􀂃 Process charts 􀂃 Flow diagrams 􀂃 Activity charts 3. Block diagrams and process maps 1. Network Diagrams (Precedence diagram) 􀂃 Consist of: 􀂃 Nodes representing operations, work elements, activities or other entities 􀂃 Arrows connecting the nodes indicate relationships among the nodes 􀂃 Direction of work flow between nodes 􀂃 Precedence among nodes 􀂃 Used to represent 􀂃 Work elements in assembly line balancing 􀂃 Sequences of processing operations 􀂃 Work activities in Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) . 􀂃 Two-way flows (movement of materials): Maximum number of arrows = n (n-1) 􀂃 One-way arrows (precedence): Maximum number of arrows = n 􀀋n􀀐1􀀌 2 n is the number of nodes in the diagram Example Network Diagrams Applications Sequential Operations in Industry OR services: 􀂃 Manufacturing (e.g. , sequences of assembly process for the products between the workstations in a factory) . 􀂃 Medical services (e.g. , a surgery patient is first admitted and then move to a waiting room before arriving the operation room) . 􀂃 Transportation (e.g. , unloading the products from truck before transport them to the warehouse and then move the products to the shops) Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. , Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. Network Digrams Patterns 􀂃 Pure sequential – all work units follow the same exact sequence of operations and workstations 􀂃 Work flow is identical for all work units 􀂃 Mixed sequential – different work units are processed through different operations 􀂃 Different work flows for different types of work units Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. , Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. Work Flow Patterns Network diagrams representing (a) pure sequ

FAQs

What are the main objectives of using charts and diagrams in operations analysis?

Charts and diagrams are used to communicate work processes more readily, apply technique-specific algorithms, break down a work process into elements for analysis, provide structure for improvement search, and represent proposed new work processes or methods.

How can a chart or diagram be analyzed in practice?

Analysis can include algorithmic analysis, line balancing calculations (such as minimum workstations and cycle time), critical path methods, checklists and general questions, brainstorming, team discussions, and distinguishing value-added from non-value-added operations.

What defines a network diagram (precedence diagram)?

A network diagram uses nodes to represent operations or work elements and arrows to show relationships, work-flow direction, and precedence constraints among nodes, supporting uses such as assembly line balancing and CPM/PERT sequencing.

Oct 26, 2026

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