ThinkTest / Reinforcing feedback loop

Return Works

The new workshop has only three machines. Deliver now, or turn parts into tomorrow's machines?

Deliver 40 parts in 7 shifts, retain at least 5 running machines and clear extra maintenance debt. Deliver the first 8 parts by the end of shift 3.

Seven-shift material schedule · At most 12 parts this shift (known from the start)

Shift 1 12 partsShift 2 15 partsShift 3 18 partsShift 4 12 partsShift 5 12 partsShift 6 18 partsShift 7 18 parts

Actual output is the lower of machine capacity and the material limit. Above 4 running machines, each additional machine adds 1 part to maintenance from the next shift. Machines may be idle for lack of material.

Allocate parts ↓Shift 1 / 7

Running machines3 machines

This shift's output9 parts

Reinvested in capacity0 parts

↖ Reinvestment adds capacity for the next shift

Allocate this shift's parts, then start. New and repaired machines produce from the next shift.

Total delivered0 / 40

Stock remaining3 parts

Extra maintenance debt0 parts/shift

After this plan: 8 parts in stock, 3 working machines, 9 parts next shift.

Available this shift 12 partsAllocated 4 · Remaining 8

Stock 3 + upcoming output 9 + scrapping 0. Each machine makes at most 3 parts; this shift's material limit is 12. Added machines start producing next shift.

Build machines7 parts / machineUses an empty bay; produces from next shift

Repair machines4 parts / machineRepairs stopped equipment; output resumes next shift

Deliver orders1 part / part deliveredGoes to the order and leaves the production loop

Full maintenance this shift · 4 partsBase 4 + fleet overhead 0 + maintenance debt 0. Full payment reduces the extra debt by 2.

No machine will stop for lack of maintenance.

Scrap stopped equipmentRecover 2 parts / machineThe machine is gone; rebuilding later costs 7 parts

Capacity retained after each shift

Bar height shows theoretical machine capacity; actual output is also limited by materials. Deliveries are shown separately, not combined into a single score.

StartDelivered 0