Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The forestry companies’ operational planning process is these days dependent on reliable, efficient and user-friendly computer-based support systems. This study is an evaluation of Holmen Skog's current computer-based systems.

The aim of this study is to:
• investigate the work pattern of the production managers when using the information system to plan the harvesting operation;
• investigate the efficiency and user friendliness of the information system with the different work patterns and to find the strengths, weaknesses and bottlenecks in the current system;
• find out if the type of object, the volume, the area of the harvesting object affects the time and work pattern;
• examine how this type of study is met by the employees and what factors that is critical to avoid feelings of intrusion.

The conclusions of the study were:
• there is a large variation between the work patterns of the production managers and the time spend to perform the operational planning;
• the mainframe computer system used by Holmen Skog is clear, has short response times, is robust and conveys relevant information;
• the computer systems are however divided in many subsystems. An integrated system would improve the usability and efficiency;
• the functions of feedback, assistance to meet legal requirements and the link to the map needs to be improved;
• clearer information on how the production managers meet the demand of timber according to the delivery plan is required;
• to achieve success with a study of this nature the employees should be involved at an early stage, be informed of the purpose and be involved in the study objectives. In order to make the employees involved and engaged in the study the findings must lead to process improvements.