Work System Design (WSD)
WSD uses a case study to provide a practical understanding of how industrial work systems in production and logistics are planned, ergonomically designed, and continuously improved using appropriate methods.
Objectives and Content
WSD focuses on the systematic planning, design, and optimization of an industrial work system, with particular emphasis on assembly-related applications. Students learn to structure and standardize products and work processes, develop suitable assembly concepts, and link individual workplaces into an integrated sociotechnical system. The course also covers layout planning, material supply, time management, and economic evaluation methods. Working in groups, students independently apply the theoretical content to a practical case study, implement their planning in a real environment, and present the results. The module is complemented by project management methods, workforce planning, and the PDCA methodology for continuous process improvement.
Core topics
- Introduction to WSD
- Digital planning, digital models, and ema
- Work organization
- Structuring and capacity balancing
- Ergonomics
- Material supply
- Kata and standards
- Project management, economic evaluation, and remuneration design
- MTM(-UAS)
Relevance and Motivation
Efficiently designed work systems are a key competitive factor for manufacturing companies, as they affect productivity, costs, and employee satisfaction alike. Those responsible for future production and logistics processes must be able to design workplaces and workflows not only efficiently, but also ergonomically and in a human-centred manner. The module bridges the gap between theoretical methodological knowledge and practical implementation skills by simulating real planning processes and enabling students to carry them out independently. It therefore provides targeted preparation for roles in production planning, Industrial Engineering, and process optimization, while also teaching digital methods for work system design that are becoming increasingly important in the context of advancing digitalization and automation.
Course Details
- Schedule: Summer semester
- Format: Lecture (2 contact hours/week) and exercise (2 contact hours/week), 4 contact hours/week in total, 150 hours of workload, 5 CP
- Assessment: Presentation (work system, 2 hours) and oral examination (15 minutes)
