Unit 3 AOS 3 SAC revision Flashcards
What is operations management?
Refers to coordinating and organising the activities involved in producing the goods and services that a business sells to customers.
Operations definition
Refers to the actual work done when transforming inputs into finished outputs.
Roles of operations managers
- Overseeing the operations system and ensuring it meets business needs
- Maximise productivity and efficiency while maintaining quality.
- Consult with other areas of management to ensure each area is working towards the achievement of business objectives
What is operational efficiency?
Refers to producing the same amount or more outputs than number of inputs.
Factors that determine productivity
- Technology
- Research and development
- Equipment and facilities
- Tasks and processes
- Layout of facilities
- Communication
- Workplace safety
Efficiency definition
Efficiency is how productively a business uses its resources in producing a good or service. It is particularly concerned with waste management.
Effectiveness definition
Effectiveness is the extent to which a business achieves its set objectives. Effectiveness is related to continuous improvement of processes, quality and customer satisfaction.
What is the difference between efficiency and effectiveness?
The key difference is efficiency relates to how well resources are used to produced outputs whereas effectiveness relates to how well resources are used to achieve business objectives.
What are the 3 stages of the operations system?
Inputs
Transforming/Processing
Outputs (final good/service)
Inputs definition
Refers to the resources used by a business to produce goods and services. Includes raw materials, human resources, information, knowledge, equipment, technology and time.
Processes stage definition
Refers to the actions performed by a business to transform inputs into outputs.
Outputs definition
Refers to the final goods and services produced as a result of a business’s operations system which are delivered/provided to customers.
3 types of planning
Strategic planning
Tactical planning
Operational planning
What is strategic planning?
Refers to the operations manager finding what products are needed, what facilities are in use and the where they are located to produce services/goods.
What is tactical planning?
Includes resourcing for materials and labour and sourcing technology and quality management.
What is operational planning?
Includes scheduling, sequencing, loading and rostering.
What are the 2 types of outputs?
Goods
Services
What are the characteristics of a SERVICE BUSINESS operations
- Labour intensive process
- Production and consumption of product occurs simultaneously
- High degree of customer contact
- Products are intangible
- The product cannot be stored
- The product delivered is inconsistent due to it being tailored to needs of individual rather than population.
What are the characteristics of a GOODS BUSINESS operations
- Capital intensive process
- Production and consumption occurs separately
- Low degree of customer contact
- Products are tangible
- Product can be stored
- Product delivered is consistent as they are mass produced.
Similarities between a goods and a service business
Both aim to be as productive as possible
Both deal with suppliers
Both aim to complete production at lowest possible cost
Both are likely to use technology to maximise efficiency
Differences between a goods and a service business
One produces a tangible product, the other produces an intangible product
There are different degrees of customer contact
Production and consumption occurrences are different (separately vs at same time)
One is labour intensive while the other is capital intensive
What are the 5 technological strategies?
Automation Computer Aided Design (CAD) Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Robotics Uses of internet
Automation definition
Refers to replacing human resources with machinery and technology to do the same jobs.
Automated production lines definition
Refers to the machinery and equipment which are arranged in a sequence and produce goods as they proceed through each stage.
How is automation efficient?
Automation is efficient as it can perform at a speed which is usually much faster than humans, improving productivity.
How is automation effective?
Automation is effective as it allows for a higher degree of accuracy which decreases the number of errors during production.
Advantages of automation
- Increased accuracy provides a consistent level of quality of products, which can improve a business’s reputation
- Improved accuracy reduces waste which minimises impact on environment
- Allows employees to avoid repetitive tasks which may be boring
- Production can run 24/7
- Increases production speed
Disadvantages of automation
- Employees can be made redundant due to technology replacing their role
- Initial set up costs are high
- Expensive to repair and update equipment
- Employees need to be trained to use tech, which is time consuming
What is computer-aided design?
It is a computer program that streamlines product design, making the designing process faster, accurate and flexible.
How is CAD efficient?
CAD is efficient as it can reduce the amount of time and resources used to design a product, which improves productivity.
How is CAD effective?
CAD is effective as it develops various prototypes for a business to choose from. This enables a business to manufacture the highest quality product, increasing customer satisfaction.
Advantages of CAD
Greater accuracy in designing
Customers have flexibility to modify a design to suit their needs.
It removes boring processes of the design process
Allows for more creativity
Speeds up design process
Disadvantages of CAD
Can cause redundancies
Can be expensive to implement and maintain
What is computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)?
It is a tool that controls machinery, tools and equipment from programmed instructions, allowing for greater precision and less errors in manufacturing process.
How is CAM efficient?
CAM is efficient as it is generally more accurate than humans, which reduces the amount of waste that occurs during production.
How is CAM effective?
CAM is effective as it increases accuracy meaning products are of high quality consistently, improving customer satisfaction.
Advantages of CAM
Greater accuracy leads to more consistent quality
Removes boring procedures in production
Speeds up manufacturing process
Disadvantages of CAM
Employees may be made redundant
Expensive to implement and maintain
What is website development?
Refers to creation of websites for businesses that allows customers to find info about them and buy products from them at any time.
Why is website development good for a business?
It provides a business a competitive advantage by allowing customers to access their business even when the physical storefront is closed.
What is materials management?
Refers to managing materials, including procurement and storage of raw materials, other inventory and finished goods.
What are types of materials management?
Master Production Schedules (MPS)
Materials Requirement Planning (MRP)
What is Master Production Schedules (MPS)?
It plans what the business intends to produce, including quantities and time required.
How is master production schedules efficient?
MPS is efficient as it prevents a business from producing an excessive amount of products, reducing waste.
How is master production schedules effective?
MPS is effective as it ensures the business produces an amount of products that meets customer demand, improving customer satisfaction.
Advantages of MPS
Provides employees with a clear schedule of operations
Reduces the chance of a halt in production
Enables business to better meet customer demand
Disadvantages of MPS
Not a flexible program
Can be time consuming planning the details of production
What is Materials Requirement Planning? (MRP)
MRP is a process that itemises the types and quantities of materials required to meet production targets.
How is MRP efficient?
MRP is efficient as having the exact materials enhances productivity by allowing operations to flow smoothly, increasing productivity.
How is MRP effective?
MRP is effective as it ensures there are sufficient materials to meet customer demand.
Advantages of MRP
Operations less likely to stop due to insufficiency of materials, increasing productivity
Accurately determining quantities of materials reduces unnecessary costs, lowering expenses.
Disadvantages of MRP
Time consuming
Costly to implement and maintain