Chapter 7- Process Thinking

Question 1

The variety volume graph?

Answer 1

Directly proportional to the negative, variety on the y, volume on the x

One off jobs- high variety 
Jobbing
Batches 
Mass production 
Continuous production - high volume 

Generally, Higher the volume lower the variety

Question 2

Characteristics of an efficient process?

Answer 2

Low work content (total amount of work required in minutes)

Throughput time - time for unit to move through process

Cycle time- average time between units of output emerging from process

Question 3

What is work in progress ?

Answer 3

Amount of units within a process waiting to be processed further (WIP)

WIP represents money tied up in part finished goods that need storing

Low WIP is more efficient

Question 4

Measuring the process

Answer 4

Littles law= WIP * cycle time

%throughput efficiency= work content / throughput time

Bad to have money tied up in stock that hasn’t been sold- costs company money

Better to take less time to complete operations

Have fewer items in process at any time

Question 5

What is Cycle time ?

Answer 5

Average rate in which products outputted

Question 6

What factors lead to process variability ?

Answer 6

Arrival time at process - work to be processed may arrive early