What is learning curve? | Application of learning curve in textile and apparel industries | Types of learning curve
1. What is learning curve? Application of learning curve
in textile industries
Written By: Foyjun Nahar Khan
Department: Apparel engineering
Bangladesh university of Textiles
2. What is learning curve?
Definition:
• A learning curve means a graphical representation that shows the relationship between output
of a product and time. The target of learning curve is to find out how the performance of the
workers are improving over time or how cost of production of a particular product is
decreasing over time.
• Learning curve was first described by Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885 and it was used to measure
production efficiency and to forecast cost.
3. Theory of learning curve:
Basic theory:
• Learning curve states that production rate of a particular product increases and cost of
production of that product decreases over time.
• Also, it is a matter to consider that, there can be a lot of factors that are responsible for
the improvement in performance (for example: using a work aid with the machine) but
here only learning over time is tracked.
• The basis of this model is the “Cumulative Average Model” described “factors affecting
the cost of airplanes” by T.P Wright in 1936. But now-a-days different variation of the
formula can be seen.
4. The original learning curve formula is:
Q= aXb
Here,
Q= the average time over the measured duration.
a= time to complete the task over the first time.
X= Total number of attempts
B= the slope of the function
Learning curve
5. Learning curve effect on textile and apparel production (case study):
Here is an example of learning curve application in the sewing floor:
Case:
• A garment industry has got a repeat order of a ‘tilly’ (ladies tank top). They have worked on that
order last summer. The IE officers record the data of the output garment in every hour.
• In the following graph we shall see the data collected for 5 days, at 10 am and at 11 am.
Data of 10 am and 11 am:
7. This two graphs shows in the garment industry learning curve generally follows complex
curve or “S” curve and also the shape may change every day.
Conclusion: Implementation of learning curve can have a positive impact on the
performance of the company and also it helps the IE officers to monitor the progress of
a particular style and estimate the order completion date.
For more information click the link below:
What is learning curve? | Application of learning curve in textile and apparel
industries | Types of learning curve