TRMS

1. Kattappa knows he can better utilize his resources, but how?

Observations:
Given data suggests that there is an excess of 7 resource day (Over 14 days) in total combining all the 3 verticals.
Total available inspectors are always lesser than total required. Hence, there is always a need of more manpower in this
segment.
There is an excess of 383 swordsmen days in total, than required who can be trained to work cross vertical.
Even there is a need of 38 Archers days in total for the given data of 2 weeks.

Solution 1 (Reallocation based on Demand):

Assuming, there is no hiring of new employees in any of the given category, and cross functioning is permissible,
338 swordsmen days (~24 men per day) will be work as inspectors and allocated on each day in sync with the
actual demand.
Also, 38 of the swordsmen days (~3 men per day) can be trained to work as archers to meet the total actual
demand.

Solution 2 (Reallocation based on Demand):

338 swordsmen days will work as inspectors and allocated on each day in sync with the actual demand.
Remaining 45 swordsmen days will be sold and exchanged to get 38 Archers days to fulfil the actual count of each
category.

Solution 3 (Queuing):
Given data suggests that there is an excess of 7 resources days in total combining all the 3 verticals over a period of
14 days.
Priority will be given on a daily basis based on the availability of extra cross functional manpower. The extra
required manpower will wait till the time, there is an excess of availability of resources.
For the time, when there is an excess resource, but no pending or current demand to meet, the resources will be
asked to go on leave and come back on the subsequent days of peak demand.
Example: On Monday, 14 Swordsmen will work as Inspectors, Still, the people left unattended will be attended on
FIFO basis as soon as there is more resources on the next day. This process will continue on a daily basis.

2. What are the opportunities of Cross-utilization of resources among the various departments? What are the challenges to this,
and how can they be overcome?
Opportunities:
There is an opportunity for 16% Cross utilization, assuming Swordsmen can work both as Inspectors and Archers.
The cross utilisation % reduces to 14 % if Swordsmen can work only as Inspectors
Challenges/Overcoming Challenges:
There can be constraints in terms of efficiency while people are working cross departments.
o Proper training for the employees and recruiting flexible workforce can help smoothen the cross
functionality I case of peak demand.
Lack of Trust: Collaboration may fail, if there is a lack of trust between the tribes
o Leaders can help bridge the silos and develop a culture of trust by aligning the goals and incentives of the
organisation as a whole.
Divergent Technologies: Each department can have their own technology for their work, which can hinder cross
functional improvement activities.
o Continuous improvement software should be standardized across the company an everyone should have an
access to it.