Unit 5.3: Lean Production and Quality Management

Question 1

Benchmarking

Answer 1

The process of identifying best practice in an industry, in relation to products, processes and operations. It sets the standards for firms to emulate

Question 2

Cradle to cradle (C2C)

Answer 2

The underlying principle of C2C is that there is no waste in nature, making it sustainable. Raw materials are not thrown away (from cradle to grave), but are reused indefinitely or serve as ‘food’ for new products

Question 3

Efficiency

Answer 3

means using resources more productively, in order to generate more output in a cost-effective way

Question 4

Just in time (JIT)

Answer 4

Is an inventory management system based on stocks being delivered as and when they are needed in the production process

Question 5

Kaizen

Answer 5

is the Japanese term for ‘continuous improvement’, a lean production philosophy that requires workers and managers to continually try and find ways to improve work processes and efficiency

Question 6

Lean production

Answer 6

Is the process of streamlining operations and processes to reduce all forms of waste and to achieve greater operational efficiency

Question 7

Quality

Answer 7

means that a product fulfils its purpose and meets the expectations of the consumer

Question 8

Quality assurance (QA)

Answer 8

Is the management process of guaranteeing (assuring) that products meet certain quality standards by making sure that everything is done right the first time and there are no defects

Question 9

Quality circles

Answer 9

Are small groups of employees who meet regularly to examine issues relating to the quality of output and make recommendations for improvement.

Question 10

Quality control (QC)

Answer 10

Is the traditional approach to quality management that involves inspecting, testing and sampling the quality of work.

Question 11

Quality management

Answer 11

Is the function concerned with controlling business activities to ensure that products are fit for purpose

Question 12

Quality standards

Answer 12

Refer to national and/or international benchmarks that enable certification of quality assurance. They are used to show that certain quality standards have been met.

Question 13

Substandard

Answer 13

means that products do not meet the needs or expectations of customers, producers or governments due to their poor quality

Question 14

Total quality management (TQM)

Answer 14

is a philosophy and process that requires the dedication of everyone in an organisation to commit to achieving quality standards.

Question 15

Waste

Answer 15

refers to anything that prevents an organisation from being efficient or lean, e.g product defects, stockpiling and overproduction