Project Management: Bottleneck Analysis for Apple's Production Line

This project proposal examines Apple's production line performance using queuing and bottleneck analysis to facilitate realistic resource planning and improve product delivery. It addresses manufacturing problems reported since 2013, particularly in iOS, iPhone, and iPad production, which are affected by supply chain issues. The study aims to assist Apple managers in enhancing effectiveness and efficiency by employing an analytical approach based on internet data. The queuing analysis provides a basis for estimating production systems, while the bottleneck model identifies potential bottlenecks. Additionally, Flexsim software is utilized to optimize planned processes, decrease waste, and reduce production costs. The methodology includes selecting a production line, collecting data, analyzing data distribution using the chi-squared goodness test, conducting performance analysis with queuing theory, determining workstation efficiency, and validating task time values, ultimately aiming to improve Apple's production system performance.

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Abstract
Every Company wishes to expand its market share and uphold its policies so as to
promote creativity and innovation. These incentives ensures that the organization is in a position
to attract and retain its customers. If there are any problems within the company it results to loss
customers and decrease in market share.
The aim of this project proposal in to carry out what is known as queuing and bottleneck
analysis so as to examine multi-stage production liner performance to facilitate realistic resource
planning and delivery of quality Apple products. This study is also aimed at helping Apple
managers in improving effectiveness, efficiency and selecting the best policy for assembly
systems. The project proposal will adapt what scientist refer to as analytical approach which will
based on data corrected from the internet about Apple Company. The queuing analysis reported
in this project proposal provides the basis for analyzing and estimating production systems by
measures like percentage of idle workstation, the number of batches in the queue and the
expected time spent in the queue. In addition, this project proposal will implement bottle-neck
model to identify potential bottlenecks that Apple Company is currently experiencing. Also the
Flexsim software will be used to assist in optimizing the planned process and identifying and
decreasing waste and reducing cost of production.
Keywords: manufacturing, queuing model, Apple, and performance measurement

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Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Goals of this study........................................................................................................................3
Research questions.......................................................................................................................3
Literature Review............................................................................................................................3
Apple Company...........................................................................................................................3
Review of the simulation model..................................................................................................4
Methodology....................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
iOS is one of the top selling products for Apple but since 2013 Apple Company has been
reported to be facing manufacturing problems for this product. In addition the company is also
facing problems in production of its iPhone and iPad which are in higher demand in African and
Asian countries. These issues have brought about slow-down in the release of iPhone 5S. The
company has benne facing lots of issues, one if the issue that the company has been facing is in
its supply chain. Most are the times Apple products are taking too long before they reach to their
destination
Goals of this study
As mentioned earlier in this study, Apple Company is one of the largest IT companies in
the world. The company is facing an increase in demand of its products in some countries.
Example the company is facing an increase in demand for its mobile applications. Due to this,
the organization needs to examine its efficiency and other production parameters of its
production line to produce mobile apps.
Research questions
1. Can queuing model be used to examine performance of production line?
2. Can bottle-neck model be used in eliminating production related problems i.e.
bottlenecks currently faced by Apple company.
3. How can Apple Company use Flexsim software to optimize planned and current
processes?

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Literature Review
Apple Company
Apple Company is one of the American multi-national technological company which is
located in Cupertino in California. Some of company products include iPad tablet, Mac
computers, Apple Watch, HomePod smart speaker, an iPhone smartphone, iOS, and MacOS. The
company is also involved in designing of safari web browser, iWork creativity, iTunes media
player and Xcode.
The company was founded by Ronald Wayne, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976 to
sell and develop Wozniak’s Apple phones. Specifically Apple Company is involved in
manufacturing mobile devices, personal computers, and desktops (O'Grady, 2016).
Review of the simulation model
Currently there extreme fluctuations in the demand pattern of Apple products across the
world. Using simulation and modeling in manufacturing companies such Apple is a necessity as
the company have to satisfy more and more divers queries in the current dynamic market such
increase quality, precise delivery time, and widening pf product ranges.
Queuing model was first developed so as to provide models for predict behavior of
systems. In manufacturing process the model usually includes the simulation and study of
models so as to predict the behavior of a certain manufacturing process. By adopting this model,
an organization is able to make decisions such as the waiting line that results in throughput. IT
engineers and specialists have applied the results of this model to show cycle time is related to
the utilization of statistic of inter-arrival service and time.
Bottle-neck during production is one of the reason which impedes productivity at Apple
Company. Bottle-neck model specifically focuses in long-terms bottleneck detection and the

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simulation needed. This model also utilizes starvation probabilities and production line blockage.
Another model to be utilized in this project is the Flexsim simulation software. This is a 3D
simulation software which simulates, models, and visualizes manufacturing systems. The
simulation software is very powerful and helps in optimizing planned and the current
organizational processes. Specifically the software includes both a built-in experimenter tool
which is fully integrated with OptQuest interface for intelligent optimization.
The reason as to why this study has gone for the three models is because it is related in
manufacturing companies. In addition the models will help in the comparison of standard data
available in the company. The combination of the three models helps in increasing efficiency
during the production of Apple Company products and will provide as a suggestion to increase
performance in all the Apple work stations (Ommeren, 2015).
Methodology
To achieve the aims of this project paper six procedures will be followed. First is the
selection of the production line which will be studies. Second is collecting data for the various
Apple Company working stations. Third is analyzing the leaving and arriving data by chi-
squared goodness test. This is done so as to define the variable distribution. Forth is conducting a
performance for each workstation by implementing queuing theory. Fifth is determining
efficiency in each workstation and lastly is validating task time value.
Conclusion
From this project proposal it is evident that Apple Company produces lots of products.
The company consists of a number of independent workstations. Queuing model used in thus
work provides basis for analyzing and estimating Apple production. Lastly, from this paper it is

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evident that queuing model is able to analyze Apple Company’s production system like number
of batch in the system, the expected time that a certain product spent in the system, and the
percentage of idle workstations.
References
O'Grady, J. D. (2016). Apple Inc. . New York: Greenwood Press.
Ommeren, J. C. (2015). The discrete-time single-server queuing model. Chicago: University of
Twente Press.