Q1) Question 3 (a) Process design can be defined as: the development of the process necessary to produce the designed product. Discuss in detail (with accompanying examples), the two broad categories of processes in relation to product volume and the degree of standardisation. [10 marks] (b) Designing a process requires consideration of the production strategy to be employed. Discuss in detail (with accompanying examples), the three common production strategies (Note: NOT the production plans – Level, Chase etc.) [15 marks] Question 2 (a) Compare and contrast the ‘Level’ and ‘Chase’ approaches to reconciling capacity/production, with patterns of variable customer demand.
Discuss the implications of both approaches in your answer. [10 marks] (b) An alternative strategy to absorbing demand is to try and change demand itself. Using two examples, discuss the ‘Demand Management’ approach. [5 marks] (c) Explain how capacity can be typically measured used the concepts of ‘design’ and ‘effective’ capacity (these should be clearly defined). Discuss too, the notion of lost time in the production process – ‘planned loss’ and ‘unplanned (or avoidable) loss’. The use of utilisation and efficiency formulae, along with a generic example, may be used to aid your discussion. [10 marks]
Question 3 (a) Discuss in detail, how ‘Operations Management’ (OM) has developed as a discipline over the past century or so, through reference to some of the key OM concepts of this period. Also, comment on some influencing factors from the current business environment on OM. [12.5 marks] (b) Discuss in detail, the philosophy of ‘Lean’ production with reference to the six central tenets. Illustrate your answer with appropriate examples. [12.5 marks]
