Dear Sah,

It is a very interesting question that you asked. In fact, to answer this question, one should understand the aim and scope of this engineering stream "Industrial Engineering". To me, there are several aspects where one industrial engineer can effectively apply his/her knowledge. From example, one can utilize cost-benefit analysis in design phase of building, or, one can also utilize optimization techniques in resource management during this phase. If anyone is intetested, he or she can also incorporate safety prevention strategy during design to minimize occurrence of accidents; for example fire safety. In addition, very important knowledge pertaining to facility location can efficiently applied in this case. However, an exhaustive list of scope is not possible here to present.

In brief, if you are an industrial engineer, you must know both the technical and management knowledge together to apply in real-life problems. And, this knowledge would ultimately help one to stand differently than others.

Thanks,

S. Sarkar

good answer Sobhan Sarkar , I agree with you

I also agree with S. Sarkar.

Industrial Engineers look at Facility layout for manufacturing and other industries using time and motion and procedures in addition to safety requirements and ergonomics. An understanding of the tasks and the workers and in this case nurses, doctors, patients, and families can aid the architects design the building as optimally as possible as opposed to trying to place items as optimally as possible in a building that is not designed for the exact operations. Technology and how it is used in a medical setting is also a huge factor.

IMHO there are 2 main fields where an industrial engineer con give his knowledge support:

1. hospitals are energy consumer plants where a rational project of energy generation (including green systems or recovery and heat pumps) and distribution is very important

2. the internal and external logistic in an hospital is a big deal: study of the flows of men and materials, automation of it where it is possible (AGV why not?)

An industrial engineer at every point in time is interested in cost optimization with major focus on productivity, profitability, efficiency and effectiveness at workplace. So, cost budgeting, logistics, safety and ergonomics are important areas an industrial engineer can pay much attention to so as to achieve the set goal.

Dear Modestus Okwu , you are right. I was looking at the project phase not at the operations

Thank you Prof. Eliseo Galli. I strongly support the AGV system you proposed. I have an ongoing project on development of a highly flexible, obstacle avoidance, intelligent and versatile AGV system capable of delivering materials from source to destinations in inbound and outbound settings, especially in industries and hospital environment.

I saw in Italy a AGV system able to go from the kitchen, taking the lift, moving in the aisles to the beds of patients bringing the right meals. in the future I think that AGV could bring drugs or move the beds to other departments

@ Prof. Eliseo Galli, sound very interesting to see AGV do all these. I strongly believe you. The link here is a confirmation...

http://whitepaper.healthcaredenmark.dk/sustainable-hospitals/hospital-logistics/agv-takes-over-distribution-of-chemo-therapy/

Industrial engineer role is to design ,develop and integrate the systems to get maximum benefits. So, Industrial engineer can not design the buildings but he can add the value in the design by enhancing looks etc.

I have a bachelor of architecture and I am doing my master in industrial management and engineering and I should say that I still could not integrate them but I think architects can design industrial plants and industrial designers can add value to designing buildings.