Industrial engineering relies on a variety of tools and techniques to optimize and improve systems and processes. According to the Industrial and Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge published by the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), fourteen key knowledge areas define the field, each encompassing specific tools and methodologies. These areas include:

1. Work Design & Measurement – Methods for analyzing and improving work processes and measuring performance.

2. Operations Research & Analysis – Using mathematical models and analytical techniques for optimal decision-making.

3. Engineering Economic Analysis – Evaluating the economic feasibility of engineering projects and decisions.

4. Facilities Engineering & Energy Management – Designing and optimizing facilities and managing energy consumption.

5. Quality & Reliability Engineering – Ensuring product and process quality and improving reliability.

6. Ergonomics & Human Factors – Designing systems that consider human-machine interaction.

7. Operations Engineering & Management – Planning, scheduling, and controlling production and service operations.

8. Supply Chain Management – Managing material and information flows within supply chains.

9. Engineering Management – Applying management principles to engineering projects and organizations.

10. Safety – Ensuring safety in system design and operations.

11. Information Engineering – Effectively managing and utilizing information within systems.

12. Design & Manufacturing Engineering – Designing products and manufacturing processes.

13. Product Design & Development – Processes related to the creation and improvement of new products.

14. Systems Design & Engineering – Designing and optimizing complex systems.

Each of these domains employs different tools and techniques. For example, Operations Research & Analysis uses mathematical modeling and optimization, while Quality & Reliability Engineering employs tools like control charts and failure mode analysis.

For more detailed insights and specific tools used in industrial engineering, you can refer to the Industrial and Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge by IISE. (iise.org)