Understanding Capacity, Flow Rate, Utilization, and Cycle Time in a Barber Shop

Capacity Calculation

The capacity of the barber expressed in customers per hour is calculated as follows:

60 minutes ÷ 15 minutes per customer = 4 customers per hour

Flow Rate

Assuming the demand for the barber is 2 customers per hour, the flow rate is:

The flow rate is 2 customers per hour

Utilization

Assuming the demand for the barber is 2 customers per hour, the utilization would be:

Actual output = 2 customers per hour

Maximum capacity = 4 customers per hour

Utilization = Actual output ÷ Maximum capacity = 2/4 = 0.5 or 50%

Cycle Time

Assuming the demand for the barber is 2 customers per hour, the cycle time would be:

The cycle time is 15 minutes

Questions:

A. What is the capacity of the barber expressed in customers per hour?

B. Assuming the demand for the barber is 2 customers per hour, what is the flow rate?

C. Assuming the demand for the barber is 2 customers per hour, what is the utilization?

D. Assuming the demand for the barber is 2 customers per hour, what is the cycle time?

Answers:

A. The capacity of the barber expressed in customers per hour is 4 customers per hour.

B. The flow rate is 2 customers per hour.

C. The utilization is 50%.

D. The cycle time is 15 minutes.