AAOM Handbook

PS.06 Identify Potential Strategies

Context

Once the gap between historical and target performance has been determined, and the critical Production steps identified, we must determine what Production strategies are potentially available to close the performance gap. There are five basic strategy options that may be applicable. These are; 1. Design change - incremental change to the design of the Production process. This may include changes to the process; flow sheet, technology (hardware, reagents, etc.) or technical operating points (chemistry, temperature, pressure, etc.). 2. Operating time (utilisation) change - modify the operating times or patterns for the process.. 3. Operating Rate change - modify the cycle times or volumes for the process. 4. Feed (input) quality change - modify the specification limits for the goods or services used/consumed by the process. 5. Product (output) quality change - modify the specification limits for the goods or services produced by the process. The strategies that are appropriate for a particular situation, and for a Production step, will depend upon a few basic factors; • The technology employed in, or available to, the process. • The current operating point(s) within the proven safe operating range of the process technology. • The technical feasibility of each of the strategy options. • Interdependence/interaction between production strategy options. • The impact on process efficiency. • The impact on equipment service life and service strategy. • The impact on probable operational life. • The potential risks that may be associated with implementing the strategy. • The total cost of adopting the strategy (total production and service costs). Any change in Production Strategy has the potential to impact a range of other areas, and these potential impacts must be evaluated as part of the strategy selection. For example; a design change may require that the process flowsheet be redrafted, an operating time, rate or quality change may result in efficiency changes and require changes to Service Strategies and or operating life forecasts.

Purpose

To specify the Production Strategy options that are technically feasible for closing a gap between historic and target process performance.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2006

Operational Planning: Set Production Strategy

Updated: August 2018

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