Operations Flashcards
(61 cards)
What is the process of operations
Input the raw materials
Making of the good
The finished good
InPut. Process. Output
What factors should be considered when choosing a supplier
Cost
Quantity
Quality
Lead time
What is the maximum stock level in the stock management system
At this level the highest amount of stock that can be stored is available
What is the minimum stock level in the stock management system
The lowest amount of stock that should be stored I’d the stock falls below this point there is a danger that production will stop as they do not have enough raw materials to continue
What is the re order level in the stock management system
More stock needs to be ordered once we reach this level
What is re order quantity in the stock management system
The quantity that needs to be ordered to bring the organisation to maximum stock level
What is lead time in the stock management system
The time that passes between ordering the stock and it arriving
Describe the just in time method of stock management
Method of stock control where the raw materials that you require arrive just in time for them to be used
What is the advantages of using the stock control system just in time try to name at least 4
- There is less cash tied up In stock
- Less storage and warehousing which means lower expenses
- Wastage should be kept to a minimum as only stock required is ordered
- it improves cash flow
- PESTEC factors have minimal impact
- stock does not deteriorate
- stock will be more tightly controlled
What is the disadvantages of using the stock control system just in time name at least 4
- Reliable suppliers are required to get the stock to you in time otherwise production cannot continue
- More journeys are made between supplier and the organisation affecting the environment and higher delivery costs
- Bulk buying discounts may be lost
- late deliveries can hold up the production process
- organisation may struggle to cope with unexpected increase in demand
- stock may have to go straight into production without having being checked
- more orders of stock will have to be placed
An effective stock management system will;
Ensure stock is readily available when needed
Ensure there is enough raw materials for production to continue
Avoid delays to customer orders
Describe the job production method of production
where a single product is made to customer specification made from start to finish before another product is made ( a wedding cake for example)
What is the advantages of using job production
- Customer gets exactly what they want which leads to a higher customer satisfaction rate
- As it is a unique product higher prices can be charged
- High employee motivation as they see product from start to finish and their work is varied
- specification can be changed even if the production has started
What is the disadvantages of using the production. Method job production
- Highly skilled employees required to make the product which means high expenses in high wages
- Expensive to buy specialist equipment
- Savings from bulk buying is lost
- it can take a long time to create the product so production is slow
What is batch production
production of groups of similar products not one item in the batch goes on to the next stage until the whole batch is complete and ready.
What is the advantages of using batch production
- reduces the need for highly skilled costly staff
- standard machinery can be used for much of the production which saves costs
- manufacturers can make different batches to suit the different requirements of customers meaning high levels of customer satisfaction are achieved
- cheaper production as bulk buying discounts can be gained
- less worker skill is required saving wage costs
- machinery works longer without breaks
What is the disadvantage of using batch production
- production time is lost through cleaning and resetting the machinery
- a small mistake within the batch can result in the who,e batch having to be scrapped or reworked
- machinery and employees can be idle between stages meaning low productivity
- worker motivation is low and they are doing repetitive tasks
- if a fault occurs the whole production stops
What is flow production
where items move continuously along a production line from one operation to another at each stage of the production a new part is added and machinery and workers have specific tasks to do at each stage
What is the advantage of using flow production
- costs are spread over a large number of goods and therefore the cost unit falls
- large quantities of goods are produced
- bulk buying of raw materials discounts are gained
- the process is heavily merchandised or automated which saves labour costs
- the quality of the output is consistent as it is early checked at each stage to ensure the quality of the product before moving to the next stage.
What is the disadvantages of flow production
- employees carry out boring, low , unskilled tasks meaning that their motivation is poor
- machinery and robots are able to break down so preventing production from continuing
- individual requirements cannot be met
What is centralised warehousing
Stock stored in one location
What is decentralised warehousing
Stock stored in multiple locations
What is the advantages of centralised warehousing
- security is improved and maintained if stock is held in one location
- space required for stock is reduced as there is no requirement for a space in each area
- fewer small purchases are necessary
- reduces the chance of duplication of resources
- agreed procedures can be set up for the whole organisation
- it is easier to implement procedures
- specialist staff are used to control ordering, issuing and purchasing of stock
- agreed procedure can be set up for the whole organisation
What is the disadvantages of centralised warehousing
- can be time consuming to receive stock when needed in departments as stock is being handled twice before it reaches the department
- if large amounts are stored then there is an increased chance of wastage
- specialised requirements of the departments are harder to maintain and provide for
- there is potential for staff to waste time going to collect stock if the centralised area is different from the work area
- it is expensive to set up and maintain a central stock area