Browsing by Author "Illankoon, P"

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item: Conference-Full-text
Improving the usability of hotel appliances with minimum engineering assistance
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2024) Jayasekara, JHPKS; Kodikara, MD; Kodikara, EK; Sajini, S; Adhikari, AMDM; Illankoon, P; Tretten, P
The TV, AC, and faucet in a hotel room should be the easiest things to operate. Although complaints from the guests to the engineering department have increased significantly over the years. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the guests' difficulties and identify the relationship between guests' abilities and what are the influencing factors. The objective of this study is to develop clear-cut recommendations to solve these concerns by focusing on complaints related to guests’ inability to use appliances. The method uses an exploratory research design, and the first phase of the research is based on a qualitative approach, while the second phase is based on a quantitative approach. This study categorized the main influencing factors into two: technical factors and personal factors. Interviews conducted with duty runners and duty engineers were the primary data collection, as well as the complaint database can be identified as a secondary data collection method. Process modeling, Pareto analysis, cause and effect diagram, and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. The results show that there are some correlations between technical factors and guests’ abilities as well as personal factors and guests’ abilities. One of the recommendations includes a video that contains instructions on how to use the appliances presented using Sri Lankan traditions, which is a solution and emerged as an expert opinion during the discussions with duty engineers and duty runners in the hotel.
item: Conference-Full-text
An Initial lean waste assessment at a manufacturing plant: an attempt to prioritise waste elimination
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2024) Sandaruwan, AKT; Weerakkody, WCD; Pathiraje, PMVS; Ishara, GKMT; Illankoon, P; Dharmasena, T
Lean is a management philosophy aimed at improving efficiency by eliminating all forms of Lean waste in the workplace. While lean practices are well-established in manufacturing, their application in sectors like printing remains significant. This study focuses on identifying and prioritizing critical Lean waste in a flexographic printing plant, a key area for operational improvement. Using a three-step approach, Waste Identification, Waste Assessment, and Root Cause Analysis, the study identifies defects and inventory as the most Critical lean waste types in the printing plant. Data was collected through Gemba walks, walkthrough surveys, interviews, and company records. The Waste Assessment Questionnaire (WAQ) and Waste Relationship Matrix (WRM) were used to prioritize lean wastes and analyze their interdependencies. Cause and Effect diagrams were used to uncover the root causes of defects, and a 5-Whys analysis was used to uncover the root causes of inventory. The findings provide actionable insights for reducing waste in the flexographic printing Plant, offering broader implications for cost reduction and efficiency in related sectors.
item: Conference-Full-text
Production planning process improvement: case study from the apparel accessories industry
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2023-12-04) Kulasekara, KMCT; Harshani, HS; Illankoon, P
Alpha Lanka (Pvt) Ltd operates in the apparel accessories industry in Sri Lanka, where On-time delivery (OTD) performance is a vital factor. However, achieving OTD to the expected level which is from 90% to 95% has become a challenge due to the complications in the production planning process. Currently, the production planning process is done manually by using Excel spreadsheets which increases the complexity of the planning process. The aim of this study is to recommend an innovative production planning tool that enhances OTD performance while giving accurate promise dates. The scope of this work is limited to one specific product line within the company. The study adopts an exploratory research design to clarify the problem and uncover new insights. The main research approach is qualitative research since it mainly considers the subjective experiences of people. Unstructured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations have been employed as primary data collection methods, and company records have been employed as secondary data collection methods. Finally, the research used process modeling, Pareto analysis, root cause analysis, and 5 why as the techniques to analyze the data. The analysis showed that Production delays were the main cause of OTD delays. This study suggested a model of a production planning tool that was developed using spreadsheets and related process improvements to achieve a proper production planning process. The tool was developed using various functionalities and formulas of spreadsheets to streamline the production planning with estimated lead time and to organize the production planning data effectively. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the production planning process.
item: Conference-Full-text
A study on how organizations perceive synergy between lean and industry 4.0
(IEEE, 2022-07) Kodippili, C; Karunanayake, R; Illankoon, P; Rathnayake, M; Adhikariwatte, V; Hemachandra, K
Over the last few decades, the advent of lean spread over most manufacturing industries as a best practice for minimizing waste, increasing efficiency, and maximizing resource usage. However, in the recent past, Industry 4.0 is under debate to be taking over the existing best practices of the manufacturing industry as digitalized production systems. This has sparked concern as to how these changes would affect the well-established lean systems. Hence, through this research, we explore how lean would transition into the digital era in the apparel industry. The information and insights generated were used to map relationships between Lean and Industry 4.0 as well as to understand the strength of the given relationships using non-parametric statistical methods. The paper discusses key elements of compatibility as well as incompatibilities under different segments of both Industry 4.0 and Lean in the form of a comprehensive matrix. It also reflects the nature of synergy relationships compared against different levels of Industry 4.0 maturity.