Simulating the effects of work-in-process on customer satisfaction in a manufacturing environment

Addresses the effects of varying levels of work-in-process (WIP) on product turntime, delivery time and customer satisfaction. By analyzing a static manufacturing process with known demand, a company can determine the optimum level of WIP, meet customer demand and ensure customer satisfaction. Determining the optimum level of WIP through actual changes in the manufacturing process can negatively affect customer satisfaction. Attempting to find the optimum level via a spreadsheet model does not take into account the interdependency of resources. Development of a simulation model allows for off-line analysis without any physical changes to the process and provides better results than a standard spreadsheet model