In this discussion, please read $$The Goal$$ from Chapter $1$ to Chapter $15.$

Draw a top$-$level process flow diagram for Alex$$s factory $($please attach a separate file for this flow diagram alone if you cannot post it to the Discussion section$).$

How does Jonah define "productivity"? What are those three questions that Jonah asked Alex about the productivity of the robots? How does Jonah define "Throughput", "Inventory", and "Operating Expense"? How do they compare with the traditional definitions? Do you find them useful, and why?

What is the $$Goal$?$ Why does Alex need two sets of measurement: $(1)$ Net profit, ROI, and Cash flow; and $(2)$ Throughput, Inventory, OE$?$

Using the analogy between the hiking and a manufacturing operation, explain the phenomena of $$dependent events$$ and $$statistical fluctuations$$ and illustrate how these two phenomena affect the throughput of a production process. Explain what a $$balanced plant$$ is and explain why it would not work in the situation of boy scout hiking.

The hiking did not go very well first, why? What did Alex do to improve the pace of the hiking? Why did he ask Herbie to lead the hiking? Did it work?