{"id":25,"date":"2019-04-08T19:30:52","date_gmt":"2019-04-08T19:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/what-is-industrial-engineering\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T14:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:21:15","slug":"what-is-industrial-engineering","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/what-is-industrial-engineering\/","title":{"raw":"What is Industrial Engineering?","rendered":"What is Industrial Engineering?"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering?\">\n<h1>Chapter Table of Contents<\/h1>\n<ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#Examples\">Examples of Industrial Engineering Improvements<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#Definition\">IE Definition<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#EvsE\">Efficiency vs. Effectiveness<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#TextGoals\">Goals of this Text<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#WelcomeToIE\">Welcome to Industrial Engineering<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#Exercises\">Chapter Exercise<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"Examples\" href=\"\"><\/a>Examples of Industrial Engineering Improvements<\/h1>\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_23\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"482\"]<img class=\"wp-image-22\" src=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Operating Room\" width=\"482\" height=\"321\"> Figure 1.1: IEs help hospitals run more efficiently[\/caption]\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"text-align: justify\">An IE at a hospital worked with a team to redesign the process for cleaning an operating room and preparing it for the next operation. The time between scheduled operations was reduced from 45 to 20 minutes. More operations can be scheduled in each operating room each day.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A manufacturer of corporate jets opened a new facility to manufacture tail sections. An industrial engineer (IE) laid out the new facility, including deciding where material would be delivered, where each machine used in the manufacturing process would be located, how work would flow through the facility, and where finished sections would be shipped from the facility.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A large air chiller has a compressor that is housed in a steel cylinder. The cylinder was being made by bending and welding two pieces of steel. An IE redesigned the cylinder and the manufacturing process so that the cylinder is now made by bending and welding one piece of steel. The manufacturing process takes less time and the cylinder is stronger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[caption id=\"attachment_23\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"440\"]<img class=\"wp-image-23\" src=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-300x203.png\" alt=\"Technical drawing of thread dimenstions shows the many measuresments and angles that are necessary to document the manufacturing of a simple screw.\" width=\"440\" height=\"298\"> Figure 1.2: ISO and UTS Thread Dimensions[\/caption]\n<ul>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A plant that assembles lawnmowers found that bolt holes on parts were not always lining up properly. An IE gathered and analyzed data to determine the source of the problem. The IE found that parts from a particular supplier were not meeting the tolerances that had been specified. The IE worked with the supplier to improve their production process so that the tolerances were met in the future.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">An IE found that the number of back injuries in an automobile assembly plant was increasing. The IE analyzed the safety reports on such injuries from the last year and found that the increase was occurring in the engine assembly area; further investigation showed that a redesign of the engine had made the engine assembly awkward. The IE worked with the assembly workers to redesign the assembly task, including the purchase of a new hoist. The IE monitored the safety reports over the next three months and found that the rate of back injuries had declined.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><a id=\"Definition\" href=\"\"><\/a>Industrial Engineering Definition<\/h1>\nThese examples illustrate different features of this definition of industrial engineering:\n\nThe <strong>design<\/strong> or <strong>improvement<\/strong> of a <strong>system<\/strong> of <strong>people<\/strong>, <strong>machines<\/strong>, <strong>information<\/strong>, and <strong>money<\/strong> to achieve some <strong>goal<\/strong> with <strong>efficiency<\/strong>, <strong>quality<\/strong>, and <strong>safety<\/strong>.\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering?\">\n\nCertain words are show in <strong>bold<\/strong> <strong>face<\/strong> in the definition:<strong>Design<\/strong> - Some industrial engineering tasks involve the creation of a <em>new<\/em> facility, process, or system.\n<ul>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Improvement<\/strong> - Most industrial engineering tasks involve the improvement of an <em>existing<\/em> facility, process, or system.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>System<\/strong> - Most engineers design physical objects, but most IEs design systems. Systems include physical components, but also include processes, rules, and people. Components of a system have to work together. Material and information flow between the components of a system. A change to one part of system may affect other parts of the system.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>People<\/strong> - Among all types of engineers, IEs think the most about people.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Machines<\/strong> - An IE must select the appropriate machines - including computers.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Information<\/strong> - Data can be used for immediate decision making but can also be analyzed to make improvements to the system.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Money<\/strong> - An IE must weigh costs and savings now against costs and savings in the future.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Goal<\/strong> - Every designed system exists for some purpose. The IE must think about different ways to accomplish that goal and select the best way.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Efficiency<\/strong> - Whatever the goal of the system, the IE usually seeks to have the system achieve that goal quickly and with the least use of resources.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Quality <\/strong>- The IE\u2019s organization always has a customer and the organization must deliver goods and services to the customer with the quality that the customer wants.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Safety<\/strong> - IEs have to make sure that the system is designed so that people can and will work safely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><a id=\"EvsE\" href=\"\"><\/a>Efficiency vs. Effectiveness<\/h1>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">IEs are sometimes called efficiency engineers, but some think that effectiveness engineer is more accurate. What is the difference between being efficient and being effective?<\/p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_24\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"387\"]<img class=\"wp-image-24\" src=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3-300x247.png\" alt=\"Diagram of the efficiency of a system shows that the energy input to a process is equal to the enery output plus any loss. The greater the loss, the less efficient the process.\" width=\"387\" height=\"319\"> Figure 1.3: The efficiency of a system[\/caption]\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">An efficient process doesn't waste any time or resources.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">An effective process produces a desired effect or contributes to a desired goal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Two words in our definition of industrial engineering (efficiency and goal) relate to these two aspects of an IE\u2019s job. A process can be effective but not efficient if the process could be done as effectively but in less time or with fewer resources; for example, the time to produce a product might be reduced without any loss of customer satisfaction with the product. A process can be efficient but not effective; for example, a department that efficiently produces reports that no one uses is not effective.<\/p>\nThe words in bold face in the definition also indicate areas that an IE must learn about. An IE must know how to answer questions like these:\n<ul>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Design<\/strong> <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>improvement <\/strong>- Where should a facility be located? How should all the components be laid out physically? What operating procedures should be used?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>System<\/strong> - How should the tasks be allocated among different parts of the system? How should material and information flow among the different components of a system?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>People<\/strong> - What are people good at? What types of tasks should not be assigned to people? How can jobs be designed so that people can do their jobs quickly, safely, and well?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Machines<\/strong> - What types of machines are available to do different tasks, including the movement and storage of material and information?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Information<\/strong> - How can data be used to determine how well the system is functioning?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Money<\/strong> - How can we trade off costs and savings that occur at different times, maybe over a number of years?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Goal<\/strong> - What is the goal of this system? What are the different ways a system could achieve that goal?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Efficiency<\/strong> - How can we produce products and services with the least amount of time and resources?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Quality<\/strong> - How can we make sure that the system is consistently producing goods and services that meet customer needs?<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Safety<\/strong> - How can we keep people from making mistakes? How can we protect people from hazards in the work place?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><a id=\"TextGoals\" href=\"\"><\/a>Goals of this Text<\/h1>\nAfter you have read this book, you should have:\n<ul>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">An understanding of the types of work IEs do in different types of organizations.<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The ability to explain to others what IEs do,<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The ability to market yourself as an IE,<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">An overview of the topics in a BSIE curriculum,<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">An understanding of the context in which IEs work, including global and societal issues,<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">A commitment to professional and ethical behavior now and in the future, and<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Improved professional skills, especially oral and written communication skills and teamwork skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThis course will not turn you into an IE since you can\u2019t learn all the knowledge and skills that an IE needs in just one semester, but it will start you on your way to becoming an IE. You will have the Big Picture of industrial engineering, so that the ideas you learn in later courses fit together.\n<h1><a id=\"WelcomeToIE\" href=\"\"><\/a>Welcome to industrial engineering<\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Being an IE is very satisfying because you can create an efficient and safe workplace where people are proud of the high quality products and services they produce. IEs improve efficiency, which means that we help bring prosperity. IEs improve quality, which means that we help provide good products and services. And IEs improve safety, which means that we help protect people. You should be very proud that you plan to become an IE. According to the bumper sticker version of industrial engineering, IEs make things better.<\/p>\n\n<h1>Exercise<\/h1>\nWhich list is better if becoming an Industrial Engineer is your number one priority?\n\n<code>The original version of this chapter contained H5P content. You may want to remove or replace this element.<\/code>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering?\">\n<h1>Chapter Table of Contents<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#Examples\">Examples of Industrial Engineering Improvements<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#Definition\">IE Definition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#EvsE\">Efficiency vs. Effectiveness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#TextGoals\">Goals of this Text<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#WelcomeToIE\">Welcome to Industrial Engineering<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/chapter\/chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering\/#Exercises\">Chapter Exercise<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"Examples\" href=\"\"><\/a>Examples of Industrial Engineering Improvements<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23\" style=\"width: 482px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22\" src=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Operating Room\" width=\"482\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-65x43.jpg 65w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/04\/hospital-IT1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.1: IEs help hospitals run more efficiently<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify\">An IE at a hospital worked with a team to redesign the process for cleaning an operating room and preparing it for the next operation. The time between scheduled operations was reduced from 45 to 20 minutes. More operations can be scheduled in each operating room each day.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A manufacturer of corporate jets opened a new facility to manufacture tail sections. An industrial engineer (IE) laid out the new facility, including deciding where material would be delivered, where each machine used in the manufacturing process would be located, how work would flow through the facility, and where finished sections would be shipped from the facility.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A large air chiller has a compressor that is housed in a steel cylinder. The cylinder was being made by bending and welding two pieces of steel. An IE redesigned the cylinder and the manufacturing process so that the cylinder is now made by bending and welding one piece of steel. The manufacturing process takes less time and the cylinder is stronger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23\" src=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-300x203.png\" alt=\"Technical drawing of thread dimenstions shows the many measuresments and angles that are necessary to document the manufacturing of a simple screw.\" width=\"440\" height=\"298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-768x518.png 768w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-65x44.png 65w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-225x152.png 225w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2-350x236.png 350w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Thread-IT2.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.2: ISO and UTS Thread Dimensions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A plant that assembles lawnmowers found that bolt holes on parts were not always lining up properly. An IE gathered and analyzed data to determine the source of the problem. The IE found that parts from a particular supplier were not meeting the tolerances that had been specified. The IE worked with the supplier to improve their production process so that the tolerances were met in the future.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">An IE found that the number of back injuries in an automobile assembly plant was increasing. The IE analyzed the safety reports on such injuries from the last year and found that the increase was occurring in the engine assembly area; further investigation showed that a redesign of the engine had made the engine assembly awkward. The IE worked with the assembly workers to redesign the assembly task, including the purchase of a new hoist. The IE monitored the safety reports over the next three months and found that the rate of back injuries had declined.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><a id=\"Definition\" href=\"\"><\/a>Industrial Engineering Definition<\/h1>\n<p>These examples illustrate different features of this definition of industrial engineering:<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>design<\/strong> or <strong>improvement<\/strong> of a <strong>system<\/strong> of <strong>people<\/strong>, <strong>machines<\/strong>, <strong>information<\/strong>, and <strong>money<\/strong> to achieve some <strong>goal<\/strong> with <strong>efficiency<\/strong>, <strong>quality<\/strong>, and <strong>safety<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"chapter-1-what-is-industrial-engineering?\">\n<p>Certain words are show in <strong>bold<\/strong> <strong>face<\/strong> in the definition:<strong>Design<\/strong> &#8211; Some industrial engineering tasks involve the creation of a <em>new<\/em> facility, process, or system.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Improvement<\/strong> &#8211; Most industrial engineering tasks involve the improvement of an <em>existing<\/em> facility, process, or system.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>System<\/strong> &#8211; Most engineers design physical objects, but most IEs design systems. Systems include physical components, but also include processes, rules, and people. Components of a system have to work together. Material and information flow between the components of a system. A change to one part of system may affect other parts of the system.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>People<\/strong> &#8211; Among all types of engineers, IEs think the most about people.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Machines<\/strong> &#8211; An IE must select the appropriate machines &#8211; including computers.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Information<\/strong> &#8211; Data can be used for immediate decision making but can also be analyzed to make improvements to the system.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Money<\/strong> &#8211; An IE must weigh costs and savings now against costs and savings in the future.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Goal<\/strong> &#8211; Every designed system exists for some purpose. The IE must think about different ways to accomplish that goal and select the best way.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Efficiency<\/strong> &#8211; Whatever the goal of the system, the IE usually seeks to have the system achieve that goal quickly and with the least use of resources.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Quality <\/strong>&#8211; The IE\u2019s organization always has a customer and the organization must deliver goods and services to the customer with the quality that the customer wants.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Safety<\/strong> &#8211; IEs have to make sure that the system is designed so that people can and will work safely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><a id=\"EvsE\" href=\"\"><\/a>Efficiency vs. Effectiveness<\/h1>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">IEs are sometimes called efficiency engineers, but some think that effectiveness engineer is more accurate. What is the difference between being efficient and being effective?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_24\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24\" style=\"width: 387px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24\" src=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3-300x247.png\" alt=\"Diagram of the efficiency of a system shows that the energy input to a process is equal to the enery output plus any loss. The greater the loss, the less efficient the process.\" width=\"387\" height=\"319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3-300x247.png 300w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3-65x53.png 65w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3-225x185.png 225w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3-350x288.png 350w, https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/industrialengineeringintro\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/03\/Efficiency-IT3.png 729w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 387px) 100vw, 387px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-24\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.3: The efficiency of a system<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">An efficient process doesn&#8217;t waste any time or resources.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">An effective process produces a desired effect or contributes to a desired goal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Two words in our definition of industrial engineering (efficiency and goal) relate to these two aspects of an IE\u2019s job. A process can be effective but not efficient if the process could be done as effectively but in less time or with fewer resources; for example, the time to produce a product might be reduced without any loss of customer satisfaction with the product. A process can be efficient but not effective; for example, a department that efficiently produces reports that no one uses is not effective.<\/p>\n<p>The words in bold face in the definition also indicate areas that an IE must learn about. An IE must know how to answer questions like these:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Design<\/strong> <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>improvement <\/strong>&#8211; Where should a facility be located? How should all the components be laid out physically? What operating procedures should be used?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>System<\/strong> &#8211; How should the tasks be allocated among different parts of the system? How should material and information flow among the different components of a system?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>People<\/strong> &#8211; What are people good at? What types of tasks should not be assigned to people? How can jobs be designed so that people can do their jobs quickly, safely, and well?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Machines<\/strong> &#8211; What types of machines are available to do different tasks, including the movement and storage of material and information?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Information<\/strong> &#8211; How can data be used to determine how well the system is functioning?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Money<\/strong> &#8211; How can we trade off costs and savings that occur at different times, maybe over a number of years?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Goal<\/strong> &#8211; What is the goal of this system? What are the different ways a system could achieve that goal?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Efficiency<\/strong> &#8211; How can we produce products and services with the least amount of time and resources?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Quality<\/strong> &#8211; How can we make sure that the system is consistently producing goods and services that meet customer needs?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Safety<\/strong> &#8211; How can we keep people from making mistakes? How can we protect people from hazards in the work place?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><a id=\"TextGoals\" href=\"\"><\/a>Goals of this Text<\/h1>\n<p>After you have read this book, you should have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">An understanding of the types of work IEs do in different types of organizations.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The ability to explain to others what IEs do,<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The ability to market yourself as an IE,<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">An overview of the topics in a BSIE curriculum,<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">An understanding of the context in which IEs work, including global and societal issues,<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">A commitment to professional and ethical behavior now and in the future, and<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Improved professional skills, especially oral and written communication skills and teamwork skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This course will not turn you into an IE since you can\u2019t learn all the knowledge and skills that an IE needs in just one semester, but it will start you on your way to becoming an IE. You will have the Big Picture of industrial engineering, so that the ideas you learn in later courses fit together.<\/p>\n<h1><a id=\"WelcomeToIE\" href=\"\"><\/a>Welcome to industrial engineering<\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Being an IE is very satisfying because you can create an efficient and safe workplace where people are proud of the high quality products and services they produce. IEs improve efficiency, which means that we help bring prosperity. IEs improve quality, which means that we help provide good products and services. And IEs improve safety, which means that we help protect people. You should be very proud that you plan to become an IE. According to the bumper sticker version of industrial engineering, IEs make things better.<\/p>\n<h1>Exercise<\/h1>\n<p>Which list is better if becoming an Industrial Engineer is your number one priority?<\/p>\n<p><code>The original version of this chapter contained H5P content. 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