Question

Three hairstylists, Bill, Edward and Susan, run Fast Service Hair Salon for busy professionals in the Yaletown area of downtown Vancouver. They stay open from 6:45am to 9:00pm in order to accommodate as many people's work schedules as possible. They perform only shampooing and hairstyling activities. On average, it takes 10 minutes to shampoo, 18 minutes to style the hair, and 2 minutes to bill the customer. When a customer arrives, (s)he first checks in with the receptionist (Edward's younger sister Lulu). This takes only 3 minutes. One of the three stylists then takes care of the customer and performs all three activities- shampooing, styling, and billing. 1. Draw a process map (linear flow chart). 2. What is the maximum number of customers that can be served per hour in this hair salon? 3. Assume on average one customer arrives per hour. What is the average utilization of all employees? 4. A customer of the Fast Service Salon, an operations specialist, has suggested that the billing operation be transferred to Lulu. What would be the impact on the capacity rate of the hair salon?

Answer 1

1)

Below is the screenshot of process flow chart -

Book1 Excel File Home Insert Page Layout Formulas Data Review View HelpTell me what you want to do K15 4 Reception 3 Minutes Shampoo 10 minutes Hair Styling 18 minutes Billing 2 minutes

2)

Number of hairstylist = 3

Total Processing Time = 10+18+2 = 30 minutes

Capacity Per Hour = 2 customer per Hour

Capacity per Hour by three hairstylist = 3*2 = 6 customers per hour

So, maximum 6 customers can be served in an hour.

3)

Arrival Rate = 1 per hour

Service Rate = 6 per hour

Utilization = 1/6 = 16.67%

4)

Lulu Capacity per hour = 60/(3+2) = 12 customer per hour

Average Time on single customer for Hairstyling = 18+10 = 28 minutes

Average Capacity per hour = 60/28 = 2.14 customer per hour

Total Capacity of 3 hairstylist = 2.14*3 = 6.42 customers per hour

Hence, capacity of 3 hairstylist will increased to 6.42 customers per hour.