This book outlines process improvement principles applicable to managers aiming to enhance the design and operation of production systems in both manufacturing and service contexts. A production system consists of resources used to perform work, such as machines and operators in manufacturing or waiting areas and medical staff in healthcare settings. The availability of these resources influences the workflow. An entity represents the work item moving through the system, which could be a manufactured part, a patient in an emergency department, a passenger at an airport, or a business transaction. The principles developed here are relevant across various systems, aiming to process entities efficiently and cost-effectively. Simulation models serve as the primary tool for establishing these principles, capturing process variability and enabling flexible modeling of diverse production systems. These models simulate entity movement, illustrating the effects of resource limitations on performance. They allow for the evaluation of different system alternatives and comparison of key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify optimal strategies. While various simulation models are utilized, readers do not need to create their own, as they can access ready-to-use software. This book does not advocate a specific process improvement methodology like Six Sigma or Lean but provides foundational principles that can complement any approach.
