Business Operations - operations process Flashcards
what are the categories for input
- transformed resources
- transforming resources
what are transforming resources (inputs)
- human resources : staff + organisational structures (the way people work and how it will impact inputs converted)
- facilities : plant + factory + office (things that assist to convert inputs)
what are transformed resources (inputs)
- materials + intermediate goods
- information (internal + external)
- customers (needs + feedback)
they are resources that are changed or converted in the operational process
what are transformation processes
- influence of the 4 v’s
- sequencing and scheduling
- technology, task design and process layout
- monitoring, control and improvements
what are the 4 v’s (transformation processes)
- volume (of output)
- variety (range of outputs)
- variation in demand (how the business responds to variation in demand)
- visibility (how much customer contact)
what is volume (influence of the 4 v’s)
how much product is made
- marketing managers need to predict how much product is needed
- -> if they don’t have enough product it could result in a lost sale
what is variety (influence of the 4 v’s)
mix flexibility - mix of products made or services delivered
- the more variety of products, the more production process
what is variation in demand (influence of the 4 v’s)
all businesses try to forecast how many products or staff members they need to keep up with sales
E.g. during seasonal times (Christmas trees + sunscreen + fashion)
what is visibility (influence of the 4 v’s)
customer feedback can shape a product
- feedback can be received through surveys, interviews, warranty claims
- -> social media platforms
what are sequencing and scheduling (transformation processes)
they are aspects that assist with structuring and ordering transformation processes
sequencing : refers to the order in which activities in operations occurs
scheduling : refers to the length of time activities take within the operations
what are two forms of sequencing and scheduling (transformation processes)
- critical path analysis
- gantt charts
what is technology (transformation processes)
it allows a business to do things more accurately + quickly + efficiently
businesses may achieve competitive advantage using leading-edge-technology
–> CAM + CAD
technology can reduce time on processes and allow further utilisation of raw materials
–> cost effective (cost-leadership)
what are task designs (transformation processes)
where job activities are organised in a way that makes it more efficient for an employee to successfully complete
- individual tasks are analysed and broken down with appropriate skills + knowledge + capabilities
what are skill audit (transformation processes)
businesses needs to make sure that the right staff are in the right jobs and right qualifications
what are workplace layout (transformation processes)
organisation of the physical layout so that they would have an impact on the efficiency of a workplace. they include;
- process layout
- product layout
- fixed position-layout
what are process layout (transformation processes)
the arrangement of machines and equipments so that they are grouped together by function they perform
what are product layout (transformation processes)
where equipment arrangement relates to the sequence of tasks performed in manufacturing a product
what are fixed position layout (transformation processes)
where the employees and equipments come to the product
what is monitoring (transformation processes)
the process of measuring acting performance against planned performance
what are control (transformation processes)
occurs when the KPI’s are assessed against predetermined targets and corrective action is taken if required
what are improvements (transformation processes)
refers to the systematic reduction of inefficiencies and wastage, poor work processes and bottlenecks
what are outputs
purpose of operations is to produce an output that have a value to customers that is greater than costs of its inputs
they include;
- customer services
- warranties
what are customer services (outputs)
refers to how the business communicates and interacts with consumer at all stages of the transaction
what is good customer service (transformation processes)
- handling customer returns promptly
- answering questions + providing information
- anticipating customer needs
- following up customer enquiries
- using technology to offer 24 hour service
