Operations Flashcards
What is job?
When a single product is made one job at a time. This will usually happen where products are unique and made to customers exact requirements. (Wedding dresses, cakes, designer clothing)
What are the three main types of production?
Job
Batch
Flow
Advantages of Job production?
customer can specify exact requirements – this can increase their satisfaction.
Organisation – higher prices can be charged due to personalisation.
Workers – motivational as they are involved in the entire production process from start to finish and see end result.
Disadvantages to job production?
Production costs are likely to be higher – highly skilled staff required and specialist tools and equipment may be needed.
Production time – maybe longer since individual requirements of the job have to be met.
Cant always buy raw material in bulk and might miss out on cost savings from bulk buying.
What is batch production?
A group of identical products are made at the same time. One operation is carried out on a number of units of the product at exactly the same time. All units are passed from one stage of the production process to the next at the same time.
What are advantages of using batch production?
Reduce costs – less need for skilled workers
Many similar items can be produced quickly – raw materials can be bought in bulk therefore saving money.
Changes can be made between batches
What are the disadvantages of using batch production?
Switching to another batch takes time – some pieces of equipment may have to be cleaned between batches.
Workers can be demotivated – workers get bored doing the same job everyday all day.
One mistake can lead to the scrapping of the whole batch and there may be differences between batches.
What is flow production?
Production is a continuous process products flow from one process on to the next and parts added to each stage. This type of production often uses a production line e.g. cars
What are advantages of using flow production?
orgs can get discounts for buying in bulk – large amount of identical products are made.
Time taken to manufacture is much shorter than other methods due to tasks been carried out mostly by machines – machines can work for longer and do not need breaks.
What are the disadvantages of using flow production?
Standardisation – products cannot be tailored to meet the needs of an individual consumer.
Staff can become demotivated due to work being repetitive.
One part of the assembly line breaks down the whole production process can be affected.
Why is quality important?
Ensures the business meet safety standards and legal requirements.
Allows the business to build up a loyal customer base – consumers are happy with the quality are likely to return.
It will mean fewer items being returned and fewer complaints from customers.
Satisfied customers are likely to tell others and the organisation will get a good reputation.
What is quality-control?
This is when products are checked at the very end of the manufacturing process (completed products). If problems are found the product is scrapped (lots of wastage). The business bears the full cost of production.
Individuals are not encouraged to take responsibility for the quality of their work.
What is quality assurance?
This is when products are checked at every stage in the manufacturing process. Less wastage as the product is checked at every stage and employees have ownership and recognition of work.
What are quality symbols?
Quality symbols/standards are identified with letters and numbers and a date. The letters BS refers to Britain EN refers to Europe and ISO is across the world - International.
What are quality circles?
This involves small groups of workers who are involved in the production process meeting at regular intervals to discuss where improvements can be made in the production process.
What is benchmarking?
Benchmarking uses a standard set by an established quality leader to discover best methods of production. The best method then becomes a quality standard which other organisations follow.
What should be taken into consideration when choosing a supplier?
Cost – the price charged by the supplier
Quality – how good the raw materials are
Lead time – how long it will take to receive the raw materials from when the order is placed.
Quantity – how much of the raw materials are required.
Location – where the supplier is based, how far away it is
Delivery costs – cost of transporting raw materials.
Reputation and reliability – what other people/businesses have experienced and what do you think of a supplier.
Why must organisations have a method for controlling stock?
If an organisation does not have enough raw materials to produce goods or enough stock to deliver to customers that will mean that employees and machines will not be able to work this will cost money.
