operations process

Question 1

what are the two types of inputs

Answer 1

transformed resources and transforming resources

Question 2

what is transformed resources and what r the 3 types

Answer 2

The inputs are changed during the production process. There are three types of transformed resources
1. Materials
2. Information
3. Customers

Question 3

explain in depth the three types of transformed resources

Answer 3

materials - the raw materials, components, parts and supplies used in operations. there are raw materials and intermediate goods

Information- the knowledge gained from research, investigation and instructions, which results in an increase in understanding. there are two types of info, external and internal data sources

Customers- they become transformed resources when their choices shape inputs. Their desires and preferences act as a transformed resource. businesses try to implement Customer Relationship Management (CRM), The systems that businesses use to maintain customer contact.

Question 4

What are transforming resources and the two types

Answer 4

Inputs that perform the transformation process (Materials)

1. Human resources
2. Facilities

Question 5

what are the two types of transforming resources in depth

Answer 5

human resources are the skills, knowledge, capabilities and labour of people are applied to materials to convert them into goods and services.

two types of facilities - plants, machinery

plants= factory or office
machinery = technology and equipment and the type, amount

Question 6

what is the transformation process?

Answer 6

The transformation process is the conversion of inputs (resources) into outputs (goods or services). Its processes are those activities that determine how value will be added through the combination of inputs.

Question 7

what are the types of production?

Answer 7

-job production
-batch production
-flow production

Question 8

what is job production? and what categorises it

Answer 8

Suits those products and services that require much higher quality and customisation than the standard product.

-more time-consuming because there is greater consultation between the business and the customer.

Question 9

what is batch production? and what categorises it

Answer 9

Products are made in groups or batches. A good example is a bakery that makes a number of slightly different breads, using the same process and produced in batches of 50 to 200.

Question 10

what is flow production and what categorises it?

Answer 10

Involves a continuous flow of inputs and outputs through the operations and is often associated with assembly lines. Products tend to have little variation
* high-volume output of a standardised product.
* Labour will be used to supervise equipment.

Question 11

what are the 4 v’s?

Answer 11

-volume
-variety
-variation in demand
-visibility

Question 12

4 v’s

what is volume and wat r two types

Answer 12

Volume is the number of products or services produced by the operation.

Mass Production has a high volume and a standardised product and tends to use flow production to achieve economies of scale and lower average costs.

Low-Volume operations, producing only a small number of items, will use much less equipment with the emphasis on multi skilled labour.?

Question 13

what is a benefit that comes along with higher volumes of products

Answer 13

the ability to use economies of scale. however, this is also a sign to be wary of diseconomies of scale

Question 14

what is variety and the three types

Answer 14

Variety refers to the number of different models and variations offered by a business in its products or services.

1.Standard products with no variety
2.Standard products with small variety
3.Standard products with wide variety

Question 15

characterise the three types of variety with aspects

Answer 15

no varierty = mass production, economies of scale

variety a lil = batch production

variety alot = human resources> machinery, highly skilled workers

Question 16

what is Variation in Demand and the three types

Answer 16

Businesses need to be able to react quickly to an increase in demand. Materials may need to be stocked, and businesses need to maintain good relationships with suppliers so that new materials can be quickly acquired.

-constant demand
-seasonal demand
-unpredictable demand

Question 17

4 v’s

what is Visibility

Answer 17

Service based businesses will have a higher level of visibility compared to manufacturing businesses.

• Operations will need to have well trained, highly skilled, adaptable staff who are able to handle the individual needs of customers (human resources function is essential)
• Speed of operations will also be essential as customers usually have a low tolerance for waiting. If customer ordering and delivery is delayed it may cause the customer to change to a competitor

Question 18

4 v’s

what characterises the establishment stage for a business

Answer 18

slow growth in demand and volume

-higher level of customisation or changes in design.

Question 19

4 v’s

what characterises the growth stage

Answer 19

can expect demand to increase

increasing the volume the business must produce.

Question 20

4 v’s

what characterises the maturity stage of a business

Answer 20

low variations in demand

may offer more variety to attract different target markets.

Question 21

what characterises the post maturity stage of a business

Answer 21

demand and volume will fall

variations on the standard product will be deleted from production.

Question 22

what is the difference between scheduling and sequencing

Answer 22

Sequencing: the order in which activities occur.

Scheduling: the length of time activities take and when each task will occur.

Question 23

why are both scheduling and sequencing important?

Answer 23

Scheduling and sequencing tools are used to identify all steps in the operations process and organise them into the most efficient order to complete.

Relevance =
-provides sense of organisation and direction
-makes sure runs smoothly
-if errors occur it can be fixed with accordance to time
-adjustments when there are hold-ups

Question 24

whats a key role of the operations manager when sequencing and scheduling ?

Answer 24

to perform a detailed task analysis.

Task Analysis : the breakdown of exactly how the manufacture of a good, or activities to provide a service, is to be accomplished.

Question 25

what is a gantt chart?

Answer 25

a gantt chart is a type of visual representation that records the number of tasks involved in each particular project and the estimated time needed for each task. The business can set specific dates for the completion of each stage of operations.

Question 26

how is a gantt chart beneficial and what is its one con

Answer 26

• It assists with planning ahead and the allocation of resources.
• It outlines the activities that need to be performed
• the order in which they should be performed and how long each activity is expected to take

con - not suitable for complex projects

Question 27

what is critical path analysis?

Answer 27

it is an appropriate scheduling tool used in operations that involves a series of repeated tasks.

-A CPA flow diagram shows the interrelationship of tasks.

Question 28

do u take the shortest or longest path in a critical path analysis

Answer 28

longest -As all tasks need to be completed for the project to be finished, the critical path time period is the longest path taken to complete the whole project.

Question 29

which is better, critical path analysis or gantt chart

Answer 29

Its timing is more precise than a Gantt chart and distinguishes between critical and non-critical tasks.

-It is useful to identify which tasks are the most important.

Question 30

what are advantages vs disadvantages of critical path analysis

Answer 30

advantages :
-it shows how each acticity is interrelated

• which activites are able to be done at the same time

-shows which activites are the most important in terms of overall time

disadvantages :
-not suitable for complex projects
-if time estimates are incorrect, there will be major delays

Question 31

what are the two types of technology businesses tend to employ

Answer 31

• Manufacturing
• Service-based/office

Question 32

what are types of manufactoring technology

Answer 32

robotics, CAM and CAD

Question 33

what are service based technology

Answer 33

It’s what allows employees to outdo more tasks in less time – be efficient

-telecommunication
-Phones, excel, internet, printers, etc.

Question 34

what are advantages of technology

Answer 34

-efficiency
-productivity, producing more at a faster pace (innovates)
-less waste
-improve the competitiveness of operations by giving it more flexibility
- Reduces the cost of production while improving the level of output (economies of scale)
-helps workers do their jobs productively

Question 35

what r disadvantages of technology?

Answer 35

a cost benefit analysis

-not be able to afford it at the time or funds have been allocated towards something else in the business

-take into consideration additional costs with technology such as maintenance, potential breakdowns, repairs, training

-Risks of associating the latest of technologies as it is largely untested

Question 36

what is task design?

Answer 36

Task design involves classifying job activities in ways that make it easier for employees to successfully complete their tasks.

It Involves breaking down the overall project into pieces of work for employees to complete, assigning them duties and objectives. This matches the right employee to the right job

Question 37

what is process layout and the twotypes?

Answer 37

Process layout refers to the arranging of equipment, machinery, and staff within the facility to allow for maximum efficiency.

-facilllities layout planning
Physical layout of business

• a process layout
  Where all the machinery is arranged by their functions.
• product layout
  Where a product moves from station to station such as in a car assembly line.

Question 38

whats the difference between product and process layout

Answer 38

A process layout requires staff to be specialised and know how to use the equipment and tools in their department.

Product Layout is one in which the machines are set up systematically such that the output of one machine is the input of another

Question 39

what is monitoring

Answer 39

its the first step, of the three its the implementation

-It allows the operation managers to identify how they’re going and whether they are successfully achieving their goals.

it Involves monitoring all 6 performance objectives and mainly the KPI’s (Key performance indicators)

Examples of KPI’s:
* Warranty claims
* Lead times
* Production volume
* Number of defects

Question 40

what is controlling

Answer 40

its identifying the issues and recognising it as a prob

Comparing KPI’s against plans or targets and identifying areas that need corrective action.

Question 41

what is improvement and what should it focus on

Answer 41

-fixing the issue

Making changes (whether short term or long term) to the transformation process to reduce inefficiencies

it should focus on kaizen (continous improvement)

Question 42

what do outputs have to be responsive to

Answer 42

Output has to be responsive to consumer demands otherwise no one would buy it

Question 43

why is customer service important?

Answer 43

Meeting and exceeding the expectations of customers in all areas of business operations

-Ensure customers are valued
-Creates long term relationships
-Maintains loyalty and a good reputation upon the business
-Even in situations where customers are dissatisfied

Question 44

what is the aim of operation managers when it comes to customer service

Answer 44

• Respond to complaints with a solution in a courteous manner
• Review and reshape their processes and output

Question 45

what is a warranty and whats the act in place

Answer 45

A warranty is an assurance that a business stands by the quality claims of the products they make and provide to the market.

• Businesses have a legal obligation to protect customers by warranties

They must comply by the Fair-Trading Act 1987

Question 46

what is the purpose of warranties

Answer 46

Warranties can be a good tool for monitoring the effectiveness of operations processes by monitoring the reasons behind each warranty claim and identifying the issues in the operations process.

Question 47

what is the aim of warranties4 businesses

Answer 47

Implement effective quality management processes that aim to reduce the number of warranties