Manufacturing Processes Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of job shop processes?

They operate continuously in high volumes.

They produce a limited variety of goods.

They require a fixed sequence of activities.

They are organized around general-purpose equipment. (correct)

Which of the following is an example of a flow shop process?

Bespoke tailoring shop

Automated car wash (correct)

Custom furniture manufacturing

Specialty food processing

What distinguishes continuous flow processes from other types?

They use highly specialized automated equipment. (correct)

They produce goods in small batches.

They focus on customization for individual customers.

They operate with flexible equipment.

During which phase of the product life cycle is a job shop process likely to be utilized?

Introduction phase with low sales volume Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding product life cycles important for businesses?

It informs the design and choice of processes and value chains. Signup and view all the answers

What type of process is typically used for high-volume standard goods?

Flow shop process Signup and view all the answers

As a product matures in its life cycle, what change might occur in its production process?

It might shift to a more efficient flow shop process. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with flow shop processes?

Production of unique custom orders Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the product-process matrix?

To align process choice with product characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What happens as firms move down the diagonal of the product-process matrix?

Processes become more standardized and offer higher volumes Signup and view all the answers

Why might a company choose to position itself off the diagonal of the product-process matrix?

To differentiate itself from competitors and appeal to niche markets Signup and view all the answers

What risk does a company face when it positions too far off the diagonal of the product-process matrix?

Increased production costs without demand for premium products Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a company that employs a job shop process?

Rolls-Royce, producing a small line of premium automobiles Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancement has challenged the theory of the product-process matrix?

Advanced manufacturing technologies Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of implementing mass-customization strategies?

Increased ability to produce a variety of low-volume products Signup and view all the answers

What should firms ensure if they choose an off-diagonal positioning strategy?

Their target market is less price-sensitive Signup and view all the answers

What does the service-positioning matrix aim to address regarding service businesses?

The limitations of the product-process matrix in service contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of service allows customers to select from a wide variety of pathways?

Customer-routed services Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario does the service delivery system constrain customer choices?

Using an automatic teller machine (ATM). Signup and view all the answers

What are pathways in a service delivery system primarily used for?

To create unique routes through services. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of designing customer-routed services?

Understanding features that can delight customers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a customer-routed service?

Making a deposit at an ATM. Signup and view all the answers

The service-positioning matrix focuses on which level of service?

Service-encounter level Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the service-positioning matrix primarily help management with?

Designing service systems to meet customer needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of reengineering in business processes?

To achieve profound improvements in key performance measures Signup and view all the answers

Which question is NOT typically evaluated during process analysis?

Which employees are most productive? Signup and view all the answers

What is utilization in the context of a business process?

The fraction of time a workstation or individual is engaged in productive work Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a relevant question when considering potential bottlenecks in a process?

What skills and tools are needed at each step? Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'process fail points' refer to?

Points where errors are likely to occur leading to customer dissatisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of having idle resources in a process?

Draining away potential profit Signup and view all the answers

What is a common utilization percentage range found in most job shops?

65 to 90 percent Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is essential to evaluate in order to enhance operational performance?

Logical arrangement of the process steps Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence the service-encounter activity sequence?

Customer discretion and service-encounter repeatability Signup and view all the answers

How does a high degree of repeatability affect service systems?

It encourages standardized processes and improves efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What does the vertical axis of the Service Positioning Matrix (SPM) represent?

The number of pathways built into the service system design Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of moving too far off the diagonal in the SPM?

Mismatch between service system and desired activity sequence Signup and view all the answers

What relationship does the Service Positioning Matrix (SPM) share with the product-process matrix?

They both emphasize optimal system design based on customer interaction Signup and view all the answers

What typically results from a low degree of repeatability in service encounters?

Higher costs per transaction and lower efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What does a service encounter that is less unique imply about the service design?

It means fewer pathways available for customer choice Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of providing customers the opportunity to design their own service-encounter activity sequence?

Increased variability in service performance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Job Shop Processes

Flexible and adaptable to produce a wide range of goods and services in small quantities.
Often used for custom or option-type products.
Customer orders are processed in batches, with varying sequences of processing steps and movement to different work areas.

Flow Shop Processes

Organized around a fixed sequence of activities and process steps.
Produce a limited variety of similar goods or services (e.g., assembly line).
Used for high-volume, option-oriented, and standard goods and services (e.g., automobiles, appliances, insurance policies).
Employ specialized equipment and computer software.

Continuous Flow Processes

Highly standardized goods or services are produced in very high volumes.
Examples include automated car washes, steel mills, and electronic services like credit card authorizations.
Rigid sequence of work tasks with specialized, automated equipment, often computer-controlled.

Product Life Cycle (PLC)

Characterizes the growth, maturity, and decline of a product over time.
Four phases: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.
PLC impacts process design and choice.

Product-Process Matrix

Aligns process choice with the characteristics of the manufactured good.
Diagonal alignment represents the ideal match between product type and process type.
Companies can differentiate themselves by positioning off the diagonal (e.g., Rolls-Royce).
Advanced manufacturing technologies allow for flexibility and off-diagonal positioning, enabling mass customization strategies.

Service-Positioning Matrix (SPM)

Addresses limitations of the product-process matrix in service businesses.
Focuses on the service-encounter level.
Pathways: customer-driven (broad freedom) or provider-driven (limited options).
Customer-routed services offer many possible pathways, giving customers control, while provider-routed services restrict options.
SPM emphasizes the relationship between service-encounter activity sequence and the number of pathways.

Process Analysis

Evaluates process logic, value-add, efficiency, capacity, skills, and potential errors.
Identifies opportunities for improvement through elimination, combination, reordering, automation, and performance measurement.
Emphasizes customer interaction and sustainability.

Reengineering

Fundamental redesign of business processes for significant performance improvement.
Involves questioning existing procedures and assumptions for potential radical change.

Resource Utilization

Measures the fraction of time a workstation or individual is busy.
100% utilization is difficult to achieve, typically ranging from 65% to 90% in job shops.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various manufacturing processes, including Job Shop, Flow Shop, and Continuous Flow methods. Furthermore, explore the Product Life Cycle (PLC) and understand how these processes cater to different production needs. Ideal for students in industrial engineering or manufacturing studies.