topic 2.3.4 Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are the 4 methods of production?
job production
batch production
flow production
cell production
What is job production and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
job production - Producing a single, unique item at a time, often customised for individual customers.
pro - High-quality, customised products.
Increased worker motivation
Flexible to meet specific customer needs.
con - High labour costs (skilled workers needed)
Slower production, leading to long lead times
Expensive due to the lack of economies of scale
What is batch production and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
batch production - Producing a set number of identical products at once before switching to another batch
pro - Greater efficiency than job production
Allows for slight product variations.
con - High storage costs
Machinery must be cleaned and reset between batches
Risk of waste if demand changes
What is flow production and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
flow production - A continuous production process where identical items are produced on an assembly line
pro - Large-scale production reduces costs
Consistent quality
High levels of automation reduce human error
con - High initial costs for machinery
Very inflexible; changes are expensive
Jobs can be repetitive, leading to low worker motivation
What is cell production and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
cell production - Production is split into teams responsible for a section of the process
pro - Increased teamwork and motivation
Higher flexibility than flow production
Reduces waste and defects
con - Requires skilled workers
Complex to organise and manage
define productivity?
measure how efficiently resources are used in production
how do you calculate productivity?
total output / total input per time period
What are factors that affect productivity?
Labour Skills and Motivation – Well-trained and motivated workers perform better.
Technology and Automation – More advanced machinery increases efficiency.
Investment in Equipment – Newer machines operate faster and reduce waste.
Production Methods – Flow production is usually more productive than job production.
what are ways to improve productivity?
investing in training
use better technology
define efficiency?
producing goods at minimum average cost while maintaining quality
what factors affect efficiency?
Labour vs. Automation – Some businesses benefit from automation, while others require skilled workers
Waste Management – Minimising waste reduces costs
Economies of Scale – Larger businesses can spread costs over more units
Effective Inventory Control – Ensuring materials arrive just when needed
what ways can you improve efficiency?
Reducing waste through lean production techniques
Investing in new machinery for faster production
Better logistics & supply chain management to avoid delays
what does labour intensive mean?
relies more on human work rather than machinery
what does capital intensive mean?
relies more on machinery and automation
define capacity utilisation?
measures how much of a business maximum production capacity is being used
how do you calculate capacity utilisation?
current output / maximum possible output
x 100
what is inventory control?
Managing inventory effectively prevents shortages and reduces costs
what are different types of inventory control?
inventory control diagram
buffery inventroy
Poor Inventory Control
Just in time
waste minimisation
Competitive Advantage from Lean Production
explain all of the different inventory control?
Inventory Control Diagram
Maximum Stock Level – The highest amount of stock a business holds.
Reorder Level – The point at which new stock is ordered.
Minimum Stock Level (Buffer Inventory) – Safety stock to prevent shortages.
Lead Time – The time between ordering and receiving stock.
Buffer Inventory
Extra stock held to prevent running out.
Protects against supply chain disruptions but increases storage costs
Implications of Poor Inventory Control
Too much stock: High storage costs, risk of waste
Too little stock: Production delays, lost sales
Just-In-Time (JIT)
Inventory arrives just when needed, reducing waste and storage costs.
Advantages: Less waste, lower costs.
Disadvantages: High risk if supply chains are disrupted
Waste Minimisation
Reducing excess stock and defective products.
Implementing lean production techniques
Competitive Advantage from Lean Production
Lean production: Reducing waste and inefficiencies.
Improves cost efficiency and product quality
what is total quality managment?
Every employee is responsible for quality encourages continuous improvement
what is kaizen?
making small and frequent improvements in processes
