Based on the Cambridge dictionary, the definition of the layout is the way that something is arranged. In another word, the layout is the result of arranging the space planning units on the available space to accommodate the closeness relationship. It indicated by the affinities without violating any of the relevant important constraints. There are four fundamental elements in the layout. Those are space planning units, affinities, space, and constraints. This topic will also discuss layout planning, facility planning, location models in facility planning, also office and personnel layout planning.
The first discussion is about layout planning. There is one methodology that most widely used in layout planning. It called Systematic Layout Planning or SLP. SLP has two tools, which are the Flow of materials or from-to chart and Activity relationship. However, SLP lacks the ability to plan departments depending on the type of layout described. SLP is also unable to generate a hybrid layout that combines features of the process and cellular layouts. The other methodology is Production Flow Analysis or PFA. PFA is a technique that consolidates all relevant material flow information and alternative production routings to form manufacturing groups of facilities. PFA can be used to identify the causes of delay in material flows. The processes to apply PFA are factory flow analysis, group analysis, line analysis, and tooling analysis. From these two methodologies, to make a better layout, there is a method called integrated system layout planning, which is an integration of SLP and PFA.
The second discussion is about facility planning. The activity objectives supported by the activity’s tangible fixed asset determined by facility planning. There are four main components in facility planning that strongly interact with each other. Those are location, specific structure and site, layout, and furniture, lighting, decorative, and equipment. The best location is related to the function of the facility and the characteristic of its product and services. To measure the cost and preferences in location decisions, there are some models that can be used. The first is the transportation models. The decision using this model will be based on shipping or transportation costs. This cost will combine the cost of moving raw materials to the plant and transporting finished goods from the plant to the warehouses. The second model is scoring models. The objective is to choose the location considering all relevant costs. The third model is a breakeven analysis. Its objective is to find how many units of throughput need to be sold in order to recover cost and breakeven. The last model is the center of gravity. Unfortunately, it will not be discussed here.
The third discussion is the location model in facility planning. The first model is the Single-facility location model. Here, there are three best-known types of distance measures. Those are rectilinear or rectangular, Euclidean or straight line, and actual distance which usually approximated by rectilinear, Euclidean, or a combination of both types. However, the straight-line path of the Single-facility location model is not feasible in most applications because of the physical arrangement of facilities. Then, the rectilinear is used to solve the problem. The second model is Distance-minimization. It is the minimization of the sum of weighted distances traveled from the new facility to each existing facility. There is also a quadratic assignment problem, which is the generalization of the linear assignment problem and it uses a heuristic model to solve the problem.
The last discussion is about the office and personnel layout planning. Office design should reflect the needs of the work and employees also structure of corporate philosophy. People should work under conditions that help them to be productive. In planning and designing the office layout, instrumentality, aesthetics, and symbolism must be considered. The criteria of office layout are suitability, flexibility, habitability, and advancement of the administrative profession. There are three types of office arrangement. Those are conventional or traditional office, landscape office, an open-plan office. However, an office might have more than one type of arrangement. It depends on the department’s needs.
In conclusion, layout plays an important role in working space because it can affect the effectiveness and efficiency during the operation. There are lots of consideration in deciding how is the layout that going to be applied. It is such a challenge for those who are doing a layout project. However, do not worry, that project is going to be interesting. Just like what Irene E. said, there is no such thing as a boring project, there is only boring execution. That is why great teamwork is really needed. Also, remember one thing, good design is obvious, great design is transparent, Joe Sparano.
Fani Fafas Tafia 