Process Layouts

Layout Types: Fixed Position

Layout Types: Functional
(also known as Process)
Layout Types: Cellular
Layout Types: Product
 Layout and volume variety
characteristics
High

Note:
diagram
Product is not to
scale
VOLUME

Cell

Functional
Fixed position
Low

Low VARIETY Hig

h
Hayes and Wheelwright
Volume
Variety
More process
Project flexibility than Professional
is needed so
Service
high cost
Jobbing
Service
Batch
Shop

Mass Less process

flexibility than Mass
Continuous is needed so Service
high cost

Manufacturing Service
 Why is the layout decision
important?
• Size of the ‘transforming’ resources
being moved
• Re-laying causes disruption –
customer dissatisfaction or lost
production
• Wrong layout (hindsight) – flow
patterns, inventory, customer queues,
long process times…high cost
• Long term consequences for
operation
 Deciding on the Facilities Layout
Volume and
Project process Professional services
variety
Decision 1 Jobbing process Service shops
Batch process Mass services
Process type
Mass process
Continuous process
Strategic
performance
objectives Fixed position layout
Decision 2
Process layout
Basic layout type
Cell layout
Product layout

Decision 3
The physical position
Detailed design of of all transforming
layout resources

The flow of the

operation’s
transformed resources

© Nigel Slack, Stuart Chambers, Robert Johnston, Alan

Betts, 2009
 Linking processes to
layouts
Manufacturing Basic layout Service
process types types process types
Project processes
Project processes Fixed Professional
position layout services

Jobbing processes
Functional layout
Service shops
Batch processes
Cell layout

Mass processes Mass services

Product layout
Continuous processes