Systematic Layout Planning

Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) - A technique established by Richard Muther in which establishes a step-by step planning procedure allowing users to identify, visualize, and rate the various activities, relationships, and alternatives involved in a layout project.

Five Steps to SLP

Step 1: Establish and Chart the Relationships - In this step a user will relate each activity, area, function, or major building feature involved in the layout to all other activity by a closeness desired rating (A,E,I,O,U,X).

What to Do:

A. Identify each activity and list all the activities on the Relationship Chart

B. Determine closeness rating for each activity to all other activities (A–Absolutely necessary, E–Especially Important, I–Important, O–Ordinary Closeness, U–Unimportant, X–Undesirable) using the Relationship Chart.

C. To use the relationship Chart, you must follow the grid. Example: If you are comparing activity 1 with activity 3, you must follow the diamond from activity 1 until you get to where activity 3 intersects activity 1.

D. The diamond cells are split by a dashed line. Use the split diamond cells to record the closeness desired rating on the top and the reason on the bottom. The reason for closeness can be determined by the user. I.e. safety, material flow, equipment usage, etc.

Step 2: Establish the Space Requirements – In this step a user establishes the space, utility, and any other restrictions required for each activity.

What to do:

A. Use the names of the Activities you have used in Step 1 and list them on the Activities Area & Features Sheet.

B. Identify the space requirement for each activity and record them on the sheet under “Area”

C. Identify any other physical restrictions and record on to sheet under using (A,E,I,O,U,X) under “Physical Features Required.”

D. Identify any specific shape or configuration needed for each activity and list them under “Requirements for Shape or Configuration of Area (Space)”

E. Identify any other comments at the bottom of the sheet

Step 3: Diagram the activity Relationship - In this step a user will relate the activities to each other visually using lines based on closeness.

What to do:

A. Use circled numbers as a representation of an activity. Draw out all the activities. Connect the nodes with lines to show the relationship between activities. Four lines connecting nodes is represents the most desired closeness down to one line. A zigzag line represents the most undesirable closeness.

B. Draw in all the activities with “A” rated relationships with four lines

C. If needed, redraw the “A” rated relationships for the best arrangement

D. Draw in all the “E” rated activities with three lines

E. Rearrange the drawing if needed

F. Draw in all the “I” rated activities with two lines

G. Rearrange the drawing if needed

H. Draw in the “O” rated activities with one line

I. Rearrange the drawing if needed

J. Draw in the “X” rated activities with zigzags

K. Rearrange the for the final time to best fit all the activities

L. Beside each activity, write down the space requirement

Step 4:Draw Space Relationships Layouts – This step will help the user visualize and arrange the layout with the space requirement for all activities.

What to do:

A. Use paper with grid lines

B. Choose some scale for your layout

C. Use the space requirements from Step 3 to mark of the area need for each activity

D. If this project requires new construction, make any adjustments needed so that there is reasonably straight exterior walls and interior walls

E. Show all features needed such as columns, walls, access doors

F. If there is an existing building, add any permanent features such as utility service points, restrooms, load-bearing walls, etc

G. Check the layout for best orientation with any surrounding features such as streets, rail access, utility lines, etc

H. Come up with different layouts and compare them

Step 5: Evaluate Alternative Arrangements – This step will choose the optimal layout and include any detailed equipment or features. This new layout can now be used for installation.

What to do:

A. Redraw your chosen layout

B. Identify and features or equipment needed to include into the layout and draw them in place

C. Draw in all individual equipment, utilities, and anything else needed on the layout

D. Make any adjustments and check for swinging doors, aisle space, maintenance space, etc.

E. Draw in scale

F. Prepare to install

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