| dc.description.abstract | This improvement project addresses the challenge of redesigning the Minute Maid Park concessions warehouse and associated processes to streamline and optimize operations for the Houston Astros food and beverage contractor, Aramark. This project aims to identify the full scope of the current warehouse system while identifying key factors related to the facility and processes that present opportunities for improvement. We used a bounded case study methodology involving multiple, iterative sequential data collection and analysis cycles. Our primary data collection methods were inductive interviewing of key stakeholders and visual observations of the warehouse facility and its processes. Several significant findings emerged: an absence of a comprehensive resource representing the whole system, the system has layered complexities operating across four distinct components, the presence of underutilized, overutilized, and sub-optimally utilized spaces, the Minute Maid Park operating schedule results in unique staff-related challenges, and Aramark is not using the Yellowdog inventory management software to its fullest capacity. From these findings, we proposed six recommendations: refer to the existing system as a reference in the new design, use newly developed employee resources, strategically redesign the facility to improve process flows, organize product placement for streamlined process optimization, leverage employee knowledge and skills for training and evaluation, and increase the use of Yellowdog. | |
