Lesson 5 Flashcards
What is an operation?
Operations are purposeful actions completed in a planned manner to achieve specific goals.
Application: This applies to both manufacturing and services.
Role of Operations Manager: They plan, organize, coordinate, and control resources to produce goods or services.
Key point: Operations aim to ensure the efficient production of goods and services through well-structured actions.
What is a systems approach?
Overview: The systems approach is a way of looking at all the parts of a company and how they connect to produce a product. Instead of looking at each part separately, it considers all functions—like product design, production, marketing, and finance—as one system working together.
Components: It includes product design, capacity, quality, inventory, and production schedules.
Teamwork required: Every stakeholder involved in planning or problem-solving contributes to the system’s effectiveness.
Main goal: To balance supply and demand, meet schedules, control costs, ensure quality, and maximize productivity by looking at the entire system, not just individual parts.
What are the benefits of using the systems approach?
Improves coordination: Involves inter-functional communication, ensuring all business parts work toward common goals.
Quality and productivity: By balancing all factors, it enhances both product quality and resource efficiency.
Strategic alignment: Affects product development, process improvements, and even financial planning for required investments.
Explain the representation of a system
Core System: The core of the system is made up of the most important elements that directly affect production. Think of it as the main “circle” containing everything essential to making the product.
Peripheral (Outside) Factors: Outside the core, there are additional factors that may not be as essential but can still impact production. These are like outer circles surrounding the core, influencing it in smaller ways.
Explain the steps of designing a product line using the systems approach
Starting Point: The company begins by researching the market to understand what customers want. This research informs what the product should look like and how it should perform. For example, if people want eco-friendly packaging, the company will design the product with this in mind.
Testing and Feedback: Once a product concept is developed, prototypes (early models) are made and tested in the market. Customer feedback from these tests guides final design decisions.
Integrating Different Departments: To bring the product to life, the operations team works with finance, marketing, and production teams. Finance will decide on budgets, marketing will help promote the product, and production will set up the processes to make the product efficiently.