Q1) (Discussion) Describe the Yerkes-Dodson Law in the context of driving. Consider different extremes of driving such as driving through a busy multi-lane metropolitan highway during rush hour (very high work load) and driving along a rural, lonely, straight stretch of 2-lane road at night (very low work load). How might expert drivers process information when compared to novice drivers? How might each react to unexpected events? What would the influence of distractions such as cell phone calls or texting be? Is some distraction while driving always a bad thing? Why or why not?

LEARNING CURVES – IS TRAINING WORTH IT?

Q2) DocRomo Enterprises LLC manufactures automatic lawn mowing robots. The most important component that goes into the robot is the programmable microprocessor assembly. The electronics have to be ruggedized via a polymer encapsulation process and tested for the capability of handling vibration and various rough handling. It takes one operator, who is paid $25 per hour, 30 minutes to manufacture and test 10 of these ruggedized microprocessors. The lead manufacturing engineer has decided to see if training can improve the efficiency of the process. There are two competing training programs that the engineer wants to evaluate.

Training program one involves bringing a trainer to the plant and having them work directly with the operator and takes 3 hours to deliver. This training program costs the company $500 to deliver. After training one operator, the operator is able to complete 10 encapsulations in only 20 minutes.

Training program two involves 5 hours worth of training and some special equipment and costs $800 per operator to deliver. However, after training, 10 encapsulations can be done in only 15 minutes.

a) Calculate the training effectiveness ratio and % transfer for each training program. Based only, on these numbers, which program would you choose?

b) Now consider the cost savings realized from increased productivity (30 minutes for 10 parts reduced to 20 minutes for training program one and reduced to 15 minutes for program two for 10 parts). How long would it take for the training programs to pay for themselves (Hint: calculate and compare the labor costs per processor and translate that in to cost – and thus savings – per hour)? How many hours will it take to recoup the cost of each training program. Will this change your mind about which program to go with?

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