Chapter 5 Flashcards
What are key inputs used to answer the questions of how much capacity is needed and when it is needed?
Forecasts
Because of ____, some organizations prefer to delay capacity investment until demand materializes.
Uncertainties
Organizations that add _____ in anticipation of growth often discover that it actually attracts growth
Capacity
3 factors that influence the frequency of capacity choices:
- Stability of Demand
- Rate of Technological change
- Competitive Factors
Capacity often refers to an upper limit on the ____ of output
Rate
What is Design Capacity?
The maximum output rate/service capacity an operation, process, or facility is designed for under ideal conditions
What is Effective Capacity?
Design capacity minus allowances
What are the Allowances of Effective Capacity?
- Personal time
- Preventive Maintenance
- Scheduling problems
- Changing the product mix
Actual Output cannot exceed what?
Effective capacity
Is often less because of machine breakdowns, absenteeism, and material shortages
____ is the ratio of actual output to effective capacity
Efficiency
What is the Efficiency Equation?
(Actual Output/ Effective Capacity) x 100%
____ is the ratio of actual output to design capacity
Capacity Utilization
What is the Utilization Equation?
(Actual Output/ Design Capacity) x 100%
What is Capacity Cushion?
An amount of capacity in excess of expected demand when there is some uncertainty about demand
Typically, the greater the degree of demand uncertainty…
The greater the amount of cushion used
What does a tracking strategy do?
It adds capacity in relatively small increments to keep pace with increasing demand
similar to a following strategy
What does a following strategy do?
Builds capacity when demand exceeds current capacity
What are Long-term Capacity needs?
1) Forecasting demand over a time horizon
2) Converting those forecasts into capacity requirements
Short-term Capacity needs are less concerned with what?
Less concerned with cycles or trends
What are Short-term Capacity needs more concerned with?
Seasonal variations or variations from average
_____ can place a severe strain on a system’s ability to satisfy demand at some times and yet result in idle capacity at other times
Deviations
What are examples of causes of irregular variations?
- Major equipment breakdown
- Strong Storms
- Foreign Political turmoil
- Oil Shortages
- Discovery of Health Hazards
What are two key reasons for misjudgment of capacity needs?
1) Overly optimistic projections of demand and growth
2) Focusing exclusively on sales and revenue potential
What is a reasonable approach to determining capacity requirements? (3 steps)
1) To obtain a forecast of future demand
2) Translate demand into both the quantity and the timing of capacity requirements
3) Decide what capacity changes are needed
What are the 3 factors in planning service capacity?
1) Locations near customer pool
2) Inability to store services
3) Degree of volatility of demand
How does Demand Volatility present problems for capacity planners?
Tends to be higher for services than goods, not only in time of demand, but also in the amount of time required to service customers
Demand Management Strategies can be used to do what?
To offset capacity limitations
Ex: Pricing, promotions, discounts