Introductory description

This module provides an introduction to the Industrial Engineering (IE) tools/techniques under consideration when examining people at work in an office, a manufacturing facility or a retail /service organisation. Students will gain an appreciation of the ways in which these tools and techniques can be used to fully support the Business objectives. Opportunities are provided for students to explore applications of the tools and techniques in different situations, in order to understand their use and effectiveness.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Productivity
• Method Study - Evaluation and Improvement Opportunities
• Facilities Layout Design – Key Drivers
• Work Measurement Techniques – DTM, AS, PMTS, SYN & EST
• Approaches/Negotiation of Change – Tactics worth considering
• Motivation and Employee Performance Commitment Models
• Health and Safety – Risk Assessment Quantification
• Ergonomics/Stress/Job Specification Analysis
• Standards, Cost Control, Budgeting and Financial Evaluations of Proposals
• Simulation, Queuing Theory and Practice, Linear Programming
• Activity Sequencing -, Time Consumption and Delay Evaluation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

•  Critically Evaluate the range of Industrial Engineering tools and techniques in reducing non-value added work in all its contexts ( physical and cognitive ).
•  Demonstrate and where applicable synthesise, key elements of this specialised field of study with other relevant disciplines to promote better organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Initiate, formulate and defend suitable plans for change within a variety of business contexts.

Indicative reading list

Fundamentals of Work Measurement: What Every Engineer Should Know
1st Edition, Anil Mital, Anoop Desai, Aashi Mital, 2016 CRC Press, ISBN 9781498745826

Human Factors and Ergonomics in Practice: Improving System Performance and Human Well-Being in the Real World, Steven Shorrock Claire Williams 2016 CRC Press

Occupational Ergonomics: A Practical Approach, Theresa Stack Lee T. Ostrom Cheryl A. Wilhelmsen 2016 John Wiley & Sons

Designing for People: An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering, Christopher Wickens, John D. Lee, Linda Ng Boyle, and Yili Liu 2017 ...Createspace

Human Factors and Ergonomics Design Handbook, Third Edition, Barry Tillman, Peggy Tillman, and Wesley E. Woodson 2016 Kobo

Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, Third Edition , Stephen Pheasant, Christine M. Haslegrave 2005 Taylor & French

Introduction to Management Science, 11th Global Edition, Bernard W. Taylor, 2013, Pearson

Operations Management , 3rd Edition, Alex Hill, Terry Hill, 2012, Palgrave Macmillan

Operations Management, Nigel Slack; Alistair Brandon-Jones; Robert Johnston, 8th Edition, 2016 Pearson

Factory Physics, Wallace J. Hopp, 2008, McGRaw-Hill

Subject specific skills

a) Students will apply and transform the subject knowledge they acquire – based on critique, evaluation, appraisal, synthesis and debate
b) Students will be provided with the subject technical expertise and instruction so that they can operate effectively in complex, sometimes unpredictable or possibly specialised contexts, whilst maintaining good insight of the issues governing good practice.

Transferable skills

The skill based outcomes which students are expected to develop alongside the knowledge acquisition of the Subject specific skill set above are as follows.
a) Communications skills – assisting the student when and how to ask questions, engaging confidently in academic and professional communication with others, reporting on actions clearly, competently and effectively.
b) Teamwork skills – working with others towards a common goal, involving empathy and active listening.
c) Organisation and adaptability skills– learning new skills and processes, to ensure work is completed efficiently and positively, adopting good habits and attitudes.