Operations - Methods of Production

Question 1

List and describe the 3 Methods of Production

Answer 1

• JOB - product is made from start to finish before another one is made (labour intensive)
• BATCH - group of identical products are made at one time and move on to the next stage at the same time. (labour and capital intensive)
• FLOW - parts are added to a product as it moves along a production line until it is complete (capital intensive)

Question 2

Give 3 advantages and disadvantages of Job production

Answer 2

ADVANTAGES
* Customisation - increased customer satisfaction
* High prices can be charged
* Workers more motivated - variety of work and skills

DISADVANTAGES
* Slower production rate - orders can take a while
* Expensive - hiring highly skilled staff or tools
* Risk of human error - causes waste

Question 3

Give 3 advantages and disadvantages of Batch production

THINK STAGES AND REDUNDANCY

Answer 3

ADVANTAGES
* All products in the batch are identical - no quality differences
* Skilled staff not required for repetitive stages - saves costs
* Customisation avaliable to meet customer requirements - increased customer satisfaction

DISADVANTAGES
* Repetitive - demotivating for staff
* Mistake in one means mistake in all - wastage produced
* Workers and machines are idle if demand falls

Question 4

Give 2 advantages and disadvantages of Flow production

Answer 4

ADVANTAGES
* Huge quantity can be produced → cheaper for customers
* Machines can work 24/7 without breaks → faster production
* Reduces human error → less wastage

DISADVANTAGES
* Expensive - machinery must be maintained, costly to buy
* No customisation → premium price cannot be charged
* Machines breaking down means production is halted → unhappy customers

Question 5

Describe 4 factors to consider when choosing a method of production

Answer 5

1. Demand for product
2. Actual product being made - can it be made by hand
3. Cost of techology/machinery
4. Avaliability of skills and labour

Question 6

Define Labour Intensive production and Capital Intensive production

Answer 6

Labour Intensive - products are mainly produced by human workers
Capital Intensive - products are mainly produced by machines and robots.

Question 7

Give 2 advantages and disadvantages of Labour intensive production

THINK ABOUT WORKERS

Answer 7

ADVANTAGES
* Customised products are easier to make
* Less expensive machinery costs
* Humans can use their own initiative

DISADVANTAGES
* Quality of products can vary due to expertise of the worker
* Skilled workers take time to train
* Skilled workers will be paid more than unskilled workers

Question 8

Give 3 advantages and disadvantages of Capital intensive production

Answer 8

ADVANTAGES
* Less employee wages and costs
* Quality can be standardised
* Machines can work 24/7

DISADVANTAGES
* Difficult to customise orders
* Breakdowns in production → expensive
* Expensive → Machinery set up costs