Process Layout Evaluation Load X Distance Analysis In the given layout movements occur between the departments in two ways namely forward and backward. It is important to ensure: (1) minimum travel, and (2) zero or minimum backward movement between the departments to minimize accidents and result in faster movements. Please note that transportation of material or goods and movement of people doesn't add any value but add cost. Thus it is necessary that such movements are reduced or completely eliminated. In this regard the overall objective of the layout is to minimize the total distance traveled by the materials or goods. Since the weight as well the distance matter, the objective is to minimize the total load distance. The load distance is calculated as load multiplied by the distance over which the load moves within a given layout. Here it is always assumed that the distance is measured along rectilinear path, that is, movement is only along straight paths and no diagonal movements are allowed. The layout refers to a series of departments located in different rooms with rectangular or square shaped boundaries and the distance is always measured from centre of one room to centre of another room. Two departments that are next to each other will be called as “adjacent” and otherwise “nonadjacent”. Layout problems generally involve developing an initial layout and later improving the configuration to minimize the total load distance value. These problems can be solved by: 1) Exhaustive enumeration 2) Optimization technique 3) Trial and error 4) Heuristics The first method is suitable only if the number of departments is 3 or 4 because all the combinations will have to be evaluated to find the best layout. When there are 3 departments, the number of combinations is 3! = 6 and when there are 4 departments number of combinations is 4! = 24. Thus with increase in the