U3 AOS3 definitions

Question 1

operations management

Answer 1

the management of resources to achieve efficient outputs of goods and services

Question 2

inputs

Answer 2

inputs are the resources that will be converted into outputs

Question 3

processes

Answer 3

processes are the activities that help transform inputs into outputs

Question 4

outputs

Answer 4

outputs are final good or service that is produced and ready for customers.

Question 5

manufacturing business

Answer 5

A manufacturing business produces a tangible, physical good, either as a finished product or a component part, used as an input in another manufacturing system

Question 6

service business

Answer 6

provide an intangible product. Services are performed rather than being produced and usually involve provision of labour or expertise in return for payment.

Question 7

efficiency

Answer 7

how well a business has used its resources to achieved its stated objective.

Question 8

effectiveness

Answer 8

the degree to which a business achieved its stated objectives.

Question 9

technology

Answer 9

practical application of science to achieve commercial or industrial objective.

Question 10

automated production line (APL)

Answer 10

equipment and machines are arranged in a sequence and controlled by computer systems to perform tasks automatically

Question 11

robotics

Answer 11

integrates computer science and engineering in the design, construction and use of machines to perform manual tasks

Question 12

computed aided design (CAD)

Answer 12

software that creates product possibilities from a series of parameters

Question 13

computer aided manufacturing (CAM)

Answer 13

software used to allow the production process to be directed and controlled by computers

Question 14

artificial intelligence

Answer 14

Deals with the development of computer programs that imitate human intellect

Question 15

online services

Answer 15

providing information or support over the internet

Question 16

materials management

Answer 16

involves the planning and coordination of all inputs that are required for an operation system

Question 17

forecasting

Answer 17

is a planning strategy where past data and trends are used to predict future demand so informed decisions can be made around materials

Question 18

master production schedule

Answer 18

outlines what is going to be produced in what quantities and when it is going to be produced

Question 19

materials requirement plan

Answer 19

is an itemized list of materials that are required to meet specific orders

Question 20

just in time

Answer 20

is a strategy that ensures the right amount of materials arrive just as they are needed for production

Question 21

quality management

Answer 21

the management of the production process that ensures the outputs produced are consistently reliable and durable

Question 22

quality control

Answer 22

a procedure that aims to ensure that a good or service adheres to a set of quality criteria by performing checks at regular intervals

Question 23

quality assurance

Answer 23

a system where the business **meets a set of predetermined quality standards **often set by an independent body

Question 24

total quality mamagement (TQM)

Answer 24

a holistic approach to quality where all members of an organisation focus on continuous process improvement, customer focus, defect prevention and universal responsibility

Question 25

quality circle

Answer 25

**a group of workers** who regularly meet to discuss **quality and production issues**, with proposed changes to production methods put forward to management

Question 26

waste

Answer 26

**waste** includes any **action in the production process **that **does not add value** for the customer

Question 27

waste minimisation

Answer 27

**waste minimisation** is the process of **reducing the amount of discarded resources created** by the business’s operations system.

Question 28

reduce

Answer 28

**decrease use of resources**, activities, labour, and time to decrease waste production

Question 29

reuse

Answer 29

if waste is produced, make effort to **repurpose instead of discarding **

Question 30

recycle

Answer 30

**convert waste** materials **into** **usable products **

Question 31

lean management

Answer 31

lean management aims to **deliver customer value** by **systematically reducing waste** and focusing on continuous improvement

Question 32

pull

Answer 32

production of the good or service is only **started when customer places an order.**

Question 33

one piece flow

Answer 33

an **uninterrupted flow of process** from **beginning** to the **end** of the **production** process

Question 34

takt

Answer 34

the operation system seeks to create a **rhythm** whereby all the **steps in production of the good or service are synchronised** to create a “continuous flow”.

Question 35

zero defects

Answer 35

focuses on quality,** identifying potential defects** as soon as possible to ensure that any **issues are resolved** quickly and efficiently, resulting in high quality.

Question 36

corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Answer 36

the commitment by businesses to go **above and beyond legal obligations** to ensure they are acting in an ethical manner in relations to **social, economic, and environmental considerations.**

Question 37

global sourcing of inputs

Answer 37

a business **uses suppliers** from overseas countries

Question 38

overseas manufacture

Answer 38

when the **production** of a good **occurs** in a **overseas location**. This may be done by the business or outsourced (global outsourcing).

Question 39

global outsourcing

Answer 39

where a business **hands** over part of its **operation** to an **overseas business**.