15: Operational strategies: lean production

Question 1

Lean production:

Answer 1

The adoption of techniques that help to reduce waste.

Question 2

Just-in-time (JIT):

Answer 2

A lean production technique which aims to minimise stock holdings.

Question 3

Kaizen:

Answer 3

A lean production technique which aims to improve efficiency by making small but frequent improvements, also known as continual improvement.

Question 4

Time-based management:

Answer 4

Managing resources effectively to ensure products are fit for market in the shortest time possible.

Question 5

Critical path analysis (CPA):

Answer 5

A technique for planning complex projects to allow them to be completed in the shortest time possible by identifying activities that can be carried out simultaneously.

Question 6

Critical path network:

Answer 6

A visual representation of the sequencing and timing of all the activities involved in completing a complex project.

Question 7

Earliest start time (EST):

Answer 7

The earliest time an activity can start in a project based upon the completion of a preceding activity.

Question 8

Latest finish time (LFT):

Answer 8

The latest time an activity must be completed by to avoid any delay in the project.

Question 9

Critical path:

Answer 9

The route which outlines all those activities than cannot be delayed, i.e. have zero float time, if the project is to be completed on time.

Question 10

Critical activities:

Answer 10

Those activities with zero float time, i.e. if it takes four weeks to complete, there is only four weeks between EST and LFT.

Question 11

Float time:

Answer 11

The amount of time by which a non-critical activity could be delayed without having an effect on the whole project.

Question 12

Non-crital activities:

Answer 12

Those activities with float time, i.e. if it takes four weeks to complete, there may be six weeks between the EST and LFT.