Potty PROCESS Parity

Reader comment on: Potty Parity Hearing

Submitted by Frederick Van Bennekom (United States), May 12, 2010 17:24

Thanks for the chuckle, and I'll do my best to write a comment that our VP could read out loud.

Mr. Towns clearly has never had to manage any type of process. (No surprise there.) An equal number of assets, in this case toilets and urinals, is irrelevant. Equalizing wait time is the proper metric. Parity has to factor in the task time to use the assets and also the demand. Women take longer for #2 since they sit down on the job while men handle it standing up. Therefore, the number of women's toilets should be greater than the number of men's urinals plus toilets to create equal wait times. However, the relative demand must also be factored in. How frequently do men and women "go?" If male frequency is greater -- think beer versus wine -- then more urinals are warranted.

This would make a great exam question. But it's irrelevant. Once the transgender equity bill comes out, then all bathrooms will be de facto unisexual. Maybe Mr. Towns will help get couches for male bathrooms next.

Fred Van Bennekom, Professor of Operations Management

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