Otimização da produtividade utilizando a ferramenta Solver do Excel: um estudo aplicado

Abstract

The continuous pursuit of higher productivity is an imperative for the competitiveness and sustainability of organizations in the current scenario, characterized by limited resources and growing demands. This work is justified by the need to optimize complex productive processes, demonstrating the application of accessible analytical tools, such as the Microsoft Excel Solver addin, which is often underutilized in business contexts. The general objective was to analyze and apply the Solver tool to develop an optimization model focused on increasing the productivity of a sewing sector in a large company specialized in hospital linen maintenance. Specifically, the aim was to maximize the total weight of material processed daily, ensuring compliance with hourly productivity targets and minimum production requirements for five types of linen items. The methodology employed was characterized as an applied case study, with exploratory and descriptive phases, and a predominantly quantitative approach. For the construction of the integer linear programming model, primary and secondary data were collected regarding the number of seamstresses, working hours, unit weights of items, average repair times (obtained by timing), stock availability (managed by RFID), hourly productivity targets, and minimum production volumes. The application of the model in Solver allowed for the determination of an optimized production plan, indicating the ideal quantities of each item to be repaired daily. The results obtained, analyzed through different scenarios, demonstrate the tool's potential for a significant increase in the sector's total productivity, better utilization of labor capacity, and achievement of established goals. It is concluded that Excel Solver presents itself as a viable, effective, and lowcost tool for production planning and optimization in the studied context, offering quantitative support for managerial decisionmaking and fostering a culture geared towards continuous improvement and operational efficiency.