Total Integrated System Approach

TSG’s ‘Total Integrated Systems Approach’ enables clients not only to truly ‘discover’ their own systems, but also to release significant levels of latent capacity in component sub-systems by identification of the real problems.

The key to maximising total system performance is in understanding the causes and effects that variability has on the various components of the system. This approach not only models each sub-process but also the interactions that exist between each system component. This allows us to quantify the effects that a proposed change to an individual sub-process will have on the total system performance.

Taking an 'Total Integrated Systems Approach' as opposed to modelling each individual sub system is beneficial for the following reasons:

• The performance of an operation is highly dependent on both the internal sub-system components and the constraints imposed on it from dynamic upstream and downstream processes. Therefore, the most effective method for evaluating a sub-system’s performance potential is through the inclusion of all sub-system components, and the dynamic influences from upstream and downstream processes as an integrated system. 

• Modelling the total system rather than just the individual components captures the interaction effects between the sub-systems and imposes realistic constraints on the sub-systems of interest. 

• Variables such as buffer capacity, queuing effects, yard equipment constraints and sub-system dynamics combine with upstream and downstream dynamics to affect the performance of the total system.

• Surge capacities, being either stockpiles, bins or queues, when empty result in the loss of productive time to the downstream process. Conversely, full surge capacities will also lead to the loss of productive time to the upstream process. 

• Understanding what causes surge locations to be full or empty, how often they occur, and how long these conditions last for, is one of the critical insights into the calculation of sustainable production capability. 

• Taking an Integrated System Approach to modelling the operation enables the evaluation of stockpile capacity, equipment capability and operating policy in the context of the performance of the entire operation, ensuring you have the detailed information required to make effective decisions on your project.