Application of systems approach to process improvement

With increasing global competition in the manufacturing sector, companies are looking at various options for improving productivity and quality. System approach is one of the ways to analyse and take appropriate measures in process improvement. It includes process mapping and method studies for process analysis and improvement. This paper looks at problems in a Sack manufacturing line of a packaging company with automated high volume production. Process mapping and method studies are carried out in order to identify the value adding and non-value adding activities in the process with an aim to eliminate the non-value adding activities. It also looked at the short falls in the quality system for achieving improved quality and productivity.