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Performance of Bucket Brigades When Work Is Stochastic

Author

Listed:
  • John J. Bartholdi

    (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0205)

  • Donald D. Eisenstein

    (Graduate School of Business, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637)

  • Robert D. Foley

    (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0205)

Abstract

“Bucket brigades” are a way of sharing work on a flow line that results in the spontaneous emergence of balance and consequent high throughput. All this happens without a work-content model or traditional assembly line balancing technology. Here we show that bucket brigades can be effective even in the presence of variability in the work content. In addition, we report confirmation at the national distribution center of a major chain retailer, which experienced a 34% increase in productivity after the workers began picking orders by bucket brigade.

Suggested Citation

  • John J. Bartholdi & Donald D. Eisenstein & Robert D. Foley, 2001. "Performance of Bucket Brigades When Work Is Stochastic," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 49(5), pages 710-719, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:oropre:v:49:y:2001:i:5:p:710-719
    DOI: 10.1287/opre.49.5.710.10609
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emil Zavadlav & John O. McClain & L. Joseph Thomas, 1996. "Self-Buffering, Self-Balancing, Self-Flushing Production Lines," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(8), pages 1151-1164, August.
    2. Frederick S. Hillier & Ronald W. Boling, 1979. "On the Optimal Allocation of Work in Symmetrically Unbalanced Production Line Systems with Variable Operation Times," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(8), pages 721-728, August.
    3. John J. Bartholdi & Donald D. Eisenstein, 1996. "A Production Line that Balances Itself," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 44(1), pages 21-34, February.
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