Question

As you think about your experience at the last airport security screening, you wonder which of the tasks that you saw the officers do at the security check were waste, which were non-value-added work, and which were value-added work. The tasks that you observed included officers doing the following: (a) officers checking IDs (b) officers telling passengers to take off their shoes (c) officers moving bins back to the beginning of the x-ray machines (d) officers looking at the screen of the x-ray machine (e) officers putting bags in the x-ray machine for a second time in case they previously contained fluids (f) officers waiting for a passenger to arrive. Required: Identify (a) officers checking IDs as waste, value-added work, or non-value-added work.

1) Waste
2) Value-added work
3) Non-value-added work

Answer 1

The tasks observed at the airport security check can be categorized as waste, non-value-added work, and value-added work. Officers checking IDs and officers moving bins back to the beginning of the x-ray machines can be considered waste or non-value-added work, while officers looking at the screen of the x-ray machine can be considered value-added work.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tasks observed at the airport security check can be categorized as waste, non-value-added work, and value-added work.

1. Officers checking IDs: This task can be considered non-value-added work as it does not directly contribute to the security screening process. It is more of a prerequisite for passengers to enter the secured area.
2. Officers telling passengers to take off their shoes: This task can also be considered non-value-added work as it is a precautionary measure to ensure that passengers are not carrying any prohibited items within their shoes. However, it does not directly contribute to the actual screening process.
3. Officers moving bins back to the beginning of the x-ray machines: This task can be considered waste as it does not add any value to the security screening process. It is more of a housekeeping task to ensure that the bins are readily available for the next passenger.
4. Officers looking at the screen of the x-ray machine: This task is value-added work as it directly contributes to the security screening process by allowing officers to detect any suspicious items in the scanned bags.
5. Officers putting bags in the x-ray machine for a second time in case they previously contained fluids: This task can be considered waste as it does not add any value to the security screening process. It is more of a precautionary measure to ensure that no prohibited fluids are being carried in the bags.
6. Officers waiting for a passenger to arrive: This task can be considered waste as it does not add any value to the security screening process. It is a non-productive time during which officers are waiting for a passenger to complete the screening process.