Plant layout analysis tools: which charts support layout design decisions? Identify the chart(s) commonly employed when designing or improving a plant layout and material flow.

Introduction / Context:
Effective plant layout depends on understanding operations, resource interactions, and movements. Industrial engineering offers several visual tools to diagnose flow problems and guide layout redesign.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We examine process steps, human–machine utilization, and interdepartmental travel.
• Objective is reducing distance, time, and non-value-added motion.

Concept / Approach:
Operation Process Charts map operations and inspections to reveal routing and sequencing. Man–Machine Charts show how an operator and machine share time, identifying idle periods and synchronization opportunities. Travel Charts (from-from, to-to) quantify frequency and intensity of moves between areas, directly informing adjacency in layout.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Use the Operation Process Chart to streamline steps and eliminate waste.Build a Man–Machine Chart to balance tasks and size workstations.Compile a Travel Chart to prioritize department adjacency and conveyor/AGV routing.Because each tool addresses a different facet, the comprehensive answer is “all of these”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) formalizes these analyses before block layout and detailed layout stages.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Each single chart alone is informative but incomplete; (E) is not a standard plant layout analysis chart.

Common Pitfalls:
Skipping data collection for flow frequencies; relying on gut feel instead of charts; ignoring operator utilization in equipment placement.

Final Answer:
all of these