This paper considers the problem of managing process improvement when resources are constrained. The paper constructs a system dynamics model that formalizes the critical interaction between using resources to produce primary output and investing resources in process improvement as means to increase throughput. The model incorporates learning so that the productivity of doing improvement activities grows as workers accumulate experience with new methods. The model enables a rigorous examination into how the feedback structure of process improvement presents challenges to people in a system facing the dual pressure to produce output and to build capability. Simulation analysis highlights the dynamics of the tradeoff between production and improvement and demonstrates the existence of a tipping point that distinguishes enduring high levels of production from modest or no improvement. Results show the superior performance of counter-intuitive policy orientations that favor learning.

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Date created

• 2010 July 25-2010 July 29

Type

• Document

Processing Activity

• Processing documentation available at: https://wiki.albany.edu/display/SCA/Processing+Ingested+Digital+Files

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• Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

  
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ITEM CONTEXT

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17bfad39e1d09bfe17f82d7ae001449f

Scope and Contents

Part of

23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8

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Part of

516b485dacfb3c26da448243f0948912

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Collection

System Dynamic Society Records

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Collecting area

• This collection is part of the University Archives