Learning Curves

1. 7S Learning Curves

2. Learning Objectives • Explain the concept of learning curves • Make time estimates based on learning curves • List and briefly describe some of the main applications of learning curves • Outline some of the cautions and criticisms of learning curves • Estimate learning rates from data on job times

3. Learning Curves • Learning curves: the time required to perform a task decreases with increasing repetitions

4. Learning Effect Time per repetition Number of repetitions Figure 7S.1

5. Learning with Improvements Average Improvements may create a scallop effect in the curve. Time per unit Time Figure 7S.2

6. Applications of Learning Curves • Manpower planning and scheduling • Negotiated purchasing • Pricing new products • Budgeting, purchasing, and inventory planning • Capacity Planning

7. Worker Learning Curves Time/cycles A (underqualified) B (average) Standard time C (overqualified) Training time One week Figure 7S.4

8. Cautions and Criticisms • Learning rates may differ from organization to organization • Projections based on learning curves should be viewed as approximations • Estimates based the first unit should be checked for valid times • At some point the curve might level off or even tip upward

9. Cautions and Criticisms • Some improvements may be more apparent than real • For the most part, the concept does not apply to mass production • Learning curves sometimes fail to include carryover effects • Life cycles, flex manufacturing can affect application of learning curves