Lecture 4 (2014-02-12)
Wrap-up previous week + Process examples: Service Systems.

For each of the clips, observe the processes involved: 1) To understand operations considered; 2) To find out their relation; 3) To conceptualize possible related performance measures; 4) To propose ideas for improvement. Observation is a very useful complementary tool for understanding operations, the relations, and finally to initiate critical analysis for improvement.

1. Introduction: Definition of the word “Process”
2. Course Information
3. Process Examples: Service Systems
4. Process Examples: Service Systems II
5. How to use process knowledge to "solve" IE problems?
6. How to use process knowledge to "solve" IE problems? - Part 2
7. Wrap-up of Previous Week
8. Gantt Chart, Operation Chart, Process Charts Examples
9. Flow Diagrams
10. Networks – Shortest Path Problem I
11. Networks – Shortest Path Problem II
12. Traveling Salesman Problem I
13. Traveling Salesman Problem II
14. Video: Inside a Factory
15. A Manufacturing System
16. A Manufacturing System: Assignment Problem
17. Wrap-up: Networks
18. Performance Measure and How to Measure
19. Definition of "decision" and relation to performance measure
20. Framework for decision making under multiple criteria I
21. Framework for decision making under multiple criteria II
22. Decision Trees
23. Critical Thinking and Issues in Information Gathering
24. Issues in Information Gathering: Examples
25. Systems Thinking: Definitions and Examples I
26. Systems Thinking: Definitions and Examples II
27. Queuing Theory: Waiting Lines I
28. Queuing Theory: Waiting Lines II
29. Queuing Theory: Waiting Lines III
30. Simulations and Probabilities
31. Mathematical Modeling Example: Linear Programming I
32. Mathematical Modeling Example: Linear Programming II
33. Definition of IE and Methodology of IE I
34. Definition of IE and Methodology of IE II

The main objective of the course is to familiarize the IE freshmen with the profession by introducing the basic notion of process. Industrial engineers visualize any systems as a collection of physical and abstract things, each of which are described by a process and these interrelated processes become crucial in the way system functions. Topics related to design of processes and process improvement, as well as notions of performance evaluation are covered and relations to decision making concepts are outlined. Throughout the course simple examples from daily life, as well as more complex examples from the service and manufacturing industries are used.

Taught by Prof. Nesim Erkip.