Resource optimization in a design office using simulation

In this paper, the work operations in an actual small-to-medium sized design office have been analyzed for the purpose of optimizing the use of resources and improving work productivity. Using simulation, a model of the office operations was developed, incorporating all design steps and their employed resources. Several simulation experiments were then conducted to determine the optimum number of resources with balanced workloads and to optimize the teamwork strategy on projects. Details of the model and the simulation experiments are described and the advantages of the model to the management of engineering organizations are discussed.