Unit 4 Operations Flashcards
Advantages of Job production
-Item is likely to be of high quality and is a one-off, bespoke item
-Business can often charge a high price and make a good profit
Disadvantages of job production
-Can be high cost method of production as it requires skilled workers
-Production may be slow and the customer may have to wait for the product
Advantages of batch prodcution
-Batches can be varied to the needs of different customers
-There are no storage costs if goods are made to order
-Cheaper than job production
Disadvantages of batch production
-Machines need re-setting between different batches, which costs money.
-Stocks of raw materials may be needed - extra costs
-Tasks may be repetitive and boring for workers, leads to productivity and staff retention problems
Advantages of flow production
-Large quantities are produced for sale
-The business may gain economies of large scale production which may reduce costs per unit
-Use of machinery/automation can reduce costs and increase productivity
-Use of computer controlled machinery allows some variation in products
Disadvantages in flow production
-Mass produced goods may not be of high quality
-The business may need to store large stocks of materials ready for use on the production line
-Production can be disrupted by a mechanical break-down
How is technology used in production?
Automation, Robotics, Computers
How is automation used in production?
Machinery completes repetitive tasks without continuous input from the operator
How are computers used in production?
-Computers can be programmed to control machines
-Workers use computers to help them do work (e.g keeping accounts on spreadsheets etc.)
Advantages of using technology in production
-machines can replace workers, reducing costs
-worker productivity is increased as computers help them to work faster and produce more, reducing costs
-waste is reduced as machines are usually more accurate than humans
-technology can operate 24/7 and never needs time off work
Disadvantages of using technology in production
-Business may need to recruit skilled labour to programme and maintain the computers which control production
-Machines can break down, disrupting production
-New technology can be expensive to buy
-Customers may not like automation (e.g automated telephone response systems)
-The storage of data about customers must meet the requirements of data protection laws
Advantage of quality assurance
-Should reduce wastage and costs
-All workers are responsible for quality which may motivate them to take care
-If quality goods and services result it will improve reputation of business
Disadvantage of quality assurance
-Workers may be stressed by the responsibility of having to check the quality of their own work which may lead to a decrease in employee retention
Advantage of quality control
-Stops poor quality goods and services being sold
-Production can continue while inspection takes place - output is not affected
-Producing good quality products will improve reputation of this business
Disadvantage of quality control
-it does not prevent waste
-inspection can be costly
-it dpes not encourage workers to be responsible for quality
