Project Planning

Question 1

Name the two most common ways for planning a production.

Answer 1

GAANT charts

Flow charts

Question 2

What are the advantages of using a GAANT chart?

Answer 2

Gives specific deadlines
Improved productivity (less time wasting)
Timing of sub-contractors can be planned in advance
Reduced lead times - time intervals between initiation and execution of process
Labor issues - required amount of labor -required at different times
Structured planning of production (JIT)

Question 3

What is just-in-time production (JIT)

Answer 3

The components are ordered just before stock runs out
Daily calculations will be made of the stock usage and delivery times to accurately calculate the minimum stock level before a new order is made.

Question 4

What are the advantages of Just-in-time production?

Answer 4

Money is not tied up in unused stock

Large amounts of storage space is not required

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of Just-in-time production?

Answer 5

Reliability of sub-contractors
Delivery times are not guaranteed
Late delivery effects production

Question 6

What is a Sub-contractor?

Answer 6

Sub contractors are people who are hired in to work on specific parts of a design or when parts of a design is ordered in from other companies rather manufacturing it yourself

Question 7

Why is a subcontractor used?

Answer 7

Cheaper than making them on site
Companies do not have facilities to make them
Subcontractors can produce higher quality parts

Question 8

What is a subcontractor typically used for?

Answer 8

standard components

Question 9

Describe the advantages of the GANT chart in the production planning process.

Answer 9

GANT charts allow specific deadlines to be set for a production as to not waste time
Sub contractors will only be paid for the time their needed as they are planned in advance
The lead times are reduced as all the parts should be delivered on time making no time to be sitting waiting

Question 10

Explain two disadvantages of using sub contractors

Answer 10

If sub contractors are late it lessens the productivity of process as parts are needed to be used
The delivery times of sub contractors are not guaranteed if during a busy period making lead times

Question 11

Explain what steps the manufacturer could take to minimize problems with sub contractors

Answer 11

order components in advance
order more than needed
identification of alternative suppliers