processfocused

Process-focused, also referred to as a functional or job-shop approach, is an organization of resources by process or function rather than by product. In a process-focused facility, equipment and people with similar capabilities are grouped together in dedicated areas, and work moves through several specialty stations according to the routing of each job. This arrangement supports high product variety and customization, enabling the facility to handle a wide range of parts with different processing requirements. It is common in job shops, contract manufacturers, and certain service environments such as hospitals and repair centers.

Key characteristics include flexible, general-purpose equipment; skilled workers who can operate across multiple processes; long, variable routing; and significant work-in-process inventory. Scheduling and planning are complex because each job may follow a unique path through the facility, and setups may be frequent.

Advantages of process-focused layouts include the ability to accommodate new products with minimal capital changes and to tailor operations to individual orders. Disadvantages include higher unit costs, longer cycle times, unpredictable utilization of resources, and more challenging throughput analysis due to variability.

Implementation considerations involve balancing process capability with demand variety, investing in routing and scheduling systems, and occasionally using cross-training to improve utilization. Managers compare process-focused designs with product-focused (assembly-line) layouts to choose the approach that best matches demand patterns, lead-time requirements, and cost objectives.