Methods Of Production Flashcards
What are the main methods of production
Job production
Batch production
Flow production
What does the method of production depend on?
The type of product
How specialised or customised the product is
The level of skills required by the workers
Describe job production
Job production concentrates on producing one product from start to finish. Once one product is complete another can begin. It is highly specialised and very labour intensive
Name 3 examples of job production
Making a wedding dress
Painting a house
Building an oil rig
Name the advantages of job production
High quality product
Can customise orders
Workers involved in the entire production process from start to finish.
Name the disadvantages of job production
- Production costs likely to be high
- Production time may be longer
- Investment in machinery may be higher as specialist equipment may be needed.
Describe batch production
Batch production allows items to be created stage by stages in bulk (a batch)
Generalist equipment and workforce are required for this type of production
Workforce is usually divided into a group designated to work on a particular stage of the process.
Name the advantages of batch production
Allows flexible production
Inventories of part finished goods can be stored and completed later.
Name the disadvantages of batch production
Making many small batches can be expensive
If production runs are different there may be additional costs and delays in preparing equipment.
Describe flow production
Products are created in a series of stages on an assembly line. Large numbers of the same goods are produced continuously. There is often an opportunity for a high level of automation.
Name 3 examples of flow production
Car assembly plant
Bottling plant
Bicycle production line
Name the advantages of flow production
Economies of scale can be achieved as cost per unit will be low.
Automated assembly lines save time and money
Quality systems can be built into the production at each stage
Name the disadvantages of flow production
Standardised product produced
High initial set up costs of automated assembly lines
Workers find work repetitive and boring.
What is labour intensive production?
Labour intensive is when products are mainly produced by human workers. Machines and special tools can be used too but requires human creativity and effort.
Name the advantages of labour intensive production
Customised products are easier to make
Less expensive machinery costs
Humans can use their own initiative and problem solve
