Problem: Driving license applications are processed sequentially though a 4 stage process consisting of (1) filling out the application, (2) eye test, (3) photographing and (4) printing and lamination. The time for each process is 5 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes and 5 minutes. There are 5 people for taking applications, 2 manned Eye testing stations, 1 photographers and 2 printing/lamination stations.

Required:

Question 1: What is the cycle time for each operation? For the whole process? (Note: please be careful not to confuse work content of an operation e.g. 8 minutes for eye test, with the process cycle time)

Question 2: How many customers can be handled in an hour?

Question 3: If there are currently 60 customers in the facility, what is the throughput time for an average customer? Be careful in answering this question as the answer changes depending on the assumptions you make about the flow of customers through the facility.