TYPES OF PROCESS FLOW TECHNOLOGY

The flow technology of the process used to make or deliver a product or service impacts facility layout, resources, technology decisions, and work methods. The process architecture may be an important component in the firm's strategy for building a competitive advantage.
When characterized by its flow structure, a process broadly can be classified either as a job shop or a flow shop. A job shop process uses general purpose resources and is highly flexible. A flow shop process uses specialized resources and the work follows a fixed path. Consequently, a flow shop is less flexible than a job shop.
Some suitable examples in the process flow technology are as follows:
a)      Project Technology                 - Example: building construction
b)     Job shop Technology              - Example: print shop
c)      Batch Technology                   - Example: bakery
d)     Assembly line Technology     - Example: automobile production line
e)      Continuous flow Technology - Example: oil refinery
The following sections describe each of the architectures of process flow technology, highlighting their differentiating characteristics.

a)     Project Technology

·        Flow - no flow
·        Flexibility - very high
·        Products - unique
·        Capital investment - very low
·        Variable cost - very high
·        Labor content and skill - very high
·        Volume - one
.

b)     Job Shop Technology

·        Flow - disorderly flow
·        Flexibility - high
·        Products - many
·        Capital investment - low
·        Variable cost - high
·        Labor content and skill - high
·        Volume - low
.

c)     Batch Process Technology

·        Flow - disconnected, with some dominant flows
·        Flexibility - moderate
·        Products - several
·        Capital investment - moderate
·        Variable cost - moderate
·        Labor content and skill - moderate
·        Volume - moderate

d)     Assembly Line Process Technology

·        Flow - related line
·        Flexibility - low
·        Products - a few
·        Capital investment - high
·        Variable cost - low
·        Labor content and skill - low
·        Volume - high

e)     Continuous Flow Process Technology

·        Flow - continuous
·        Flexibility - very low
·        Products - one
·        Capital investment - very high
·        Variable cost - very low
·        Labor content and skill - very low, but with skilled overseers

·        Volume - very high 

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