Syllabus Only (Operations)

Question 1

Role of operations management

Answer 1

• strategic role of operations managment - cost leadership, good/service differentiation
• goods and/or services in different industries
• interdependence with other key business functions

Question 2

Influences on operations management overview

Answer 2

• globalisation, technology, quality expectations, cost-based competition, government policies, legal regulation, environment sustainability
• corporate social responsibility

Question 3

Corporate social responsibility (influences on operations management)

Answer 3

• the difference between legal compliance and ethical responsibility
• environmental sustainability and social responsibility

Question 4

Operations Processes overview

Answer 4

• inputs
• transformation processes
• outputs

Question 5

Inputs (operations processes)

Answer 5

• transformed resources (materials, information, customers)
• transforming resources (human resources, facilities)

Question 6

Transformation processes (operations processes)

Answer 6

• the influence of volume, variety, variation in demand and visibility (customer contact)
• sequencing and scheduling - Gantt charts, critical path analysis
• technology, task design and process layout
• monitoring, control and improvement

Question 7

Outputs (operations processes)

Answer 7

• customer service
• warranties

Question 8

Operations Stratagies overview

Answer 8

• performance objectives
• new product or service design and development
• supply chain management
• outsourcing - advantages and disadvantages
• technology - leading edge, established
• inventory management
• quality management
• overcoming resistance to change
• global factors

Question 9

Performance objectives (operations stratagies)

Answer 9

• quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, customisation, cost

Question 10

Supply chain management (operations stratagies)

Answer 10

• logistics, e-commerce, global sourcing

Question 11

Inventory management (operations stratagies)

Answer 11

• advantages and disadvantages of holding stock, LIFO (last-in-first-out), FIFO (first-in-first-out), JIT (just-in-time)

Question 12

Quality management (operations stratagies)

Answer 12

• control
• assurance
• improvement

Question 13

Overcoming resistance to change (operations stratagies)

Answer 13

• financial costs, purchasing new equipment, redundancy payments, retraining, reorganising plant layout, inertia

Question 14

Global factors (operations stratagies)

Answer 14

• global sourcing, economies of scale, scanning and learning, research and development