A Critique of Some Current Plant Layout Techniques

Some of the main features of the major existing approaches designed to solve the multi‐goal layout problem are highlighted. Most of these heuristic approaches are of the improvement type which take account of constraints within areas of departments. Two heuristic approaches of the construction type are outlined. MFLAP (Multi‐goal Facility Layout Planning) is a construction type algorithm based on cell formation technique. MFLAPSA (Multi‐goal Facility Layout Planning under the constraints on Shapes and Areas of Facilities), like MFLAP, is also a construction type heuristic based on cell formation technique but it incorporates additional constraints such as shape, location flexibility and exposure for a department. The procedure and capabilities of MFLAP and MFLAPSA are outlined.