Question

the process for renewing a drivers license at the archer county courthouse is as follows. first, the clerk fills out the application; then the clerk takes the drivers picture; and finally, a typist enters the information into the computer system and processes the new license. it takes an average of six minutes to fill out an application, one minute to take a picture, and nine minutes to process the new license. due to county and state budget cuts, archer county courthouse now has only three clerks and three typists and expects to process 45 drivers/hour. what is the current labor utilization of each labor type? do not round intermediate calculations. round your answers to the nearest whole number. labor utilization of clerks: 175 % labor utilization of typists: 129 % where is the bottleneck in this three - stage process? the ability of the system is limited to select how might the job and process design select work practices and technology to select service rates. the best way to help alleviate this bot select clerks typists clerks and typists

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate capacity of clerks per hour

Each clerk can fill out $\frac{60}{6}= 10$ applications per hour. With 3 clerks, total capacity of clerks is $3\times10 = 30$ applications per hour.

Step2: Calculate labor - utilization of clerks

Labor - utilization of clerks = $\frac{45}{30}\times100\%=150\%$

Step3: Calculate capacity of typists per hour

Each typist can process $\frac{60}{9}\approx6.67$ licenses per hour. With 3 typists, total capacity of typists is $3\times\frac{60}{9}= 20$ licenses per hour.

Step4: Calculate labor - utilization of typists

Labor - utilization of typists=$\frac{45}{20}\times100\% = 225\%$

Step5: Identify the bottleneck

Since the capacity of clerks (30 applications per hour) and typists (20 licenses per hour) is less than the expected processing rate of 45 drivers per hour, and the labor - utilization of typists is higher than that of clerks, the bottleneck is the typists.

Step6: Suggestions to alleviate the bottleneck

The best way to help alleviate this bottleneck is to improve the work practices and technology of typists to increase service rates.

Answer:

Labor utilization of clerks: 150%
Labor utilization of typists: 225%
The ability of the system is limited to typists
The best way to help alleviate this bottleneck is to improve the work practices and technology of typists to increase service rates.