QRS Corp. is designing a product layout for a new product. They plan to use this production line 10 hours a day in order to meet forecasted demand of 900 units per day. The following table describes the tasks necessary to produce this product: $$\begin{array} { l l l }
\text { Task } & \text { Time (secs) } & \text { Immediate Predecessor } \
\hline \text { a } & 34 & \text { none } \
\text { b } & 20 & \text { a } \
\text { c } & 10 & \text { b } \
\text { d } & 16 & \text { b } \
\text { e } & 10 & \text { c } \
\text { f } & 24 & \text { d, e } \
\text { g } & 38 & \text { f }
\end{array}$$ For output to equal forecasted demand, what is the minimum number of workstations needed?
A) 1
B) 3
C) 3.75
D) 4
E) 5

Question

QRS Corp. is designing a product layout for a new product. They plan to use this production line 10 hours a day in order to meet forecasted demand of 900 units per day. The following table describes the tasks necessary to produce this product: $$\begin{array} { l l l } 
\text { Task } & \text { Time (secs) } & \text { Immediate Predecessor } \
\hline \text { a } & 34 & \text { none } \
\text { b } & 20 & \text { a } \
\text { c } & 10 & \text { b } \
\text { d } & 16 & \text { b } \
\text { e } & 10 & \text { c } \
\text { f } & 24 & \text { d, e } \
\text { g } & 38 & \text { f }
\end{array}$$ For output to equal forecasted demand, what is the minimum number of workstations needed?
A) 1
B) 3
C) 3.75
D) 4
E) 5

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the minimum number of workstations needed we have to use the following formula:
Number of workstations = (Total task time) / (Production time per day)
Total task time = time for tasks a through g
Total task time = 34 + (20+10) + (16+10) + 24 + 38 = 152 seconds
Production time per day = 10 hours/day x 3600 seconds/hour = 36,000 seconds/day
Number of workstations = 152/36,000 = 0.004222…
Therefore, we need at least 4 workstations to meet forecasted demand of 900 units per day.

QRS Corp Is Designing a Product Layout for a New Product