MODULE 2 : PROCESS STRATEGY

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What is the objective of a process design?

2. How are modules useful in manufacturing processes?

3. What is mass customization?

4. Name and describe briefly the four basic process strategies.

5. Why is equipment utilization in process-focused service industries often low?

6. What are the four questions that represent the issues of process analysis and design?

7. The textbook described four basic process models, and hinted that there are others. Construct an example of a hybrid
process. Can this process be applied in any well-known organization? How common do you think hybrid processes are?

8. Compare an intermittent process to a continuous process on the basis of variety, volume, equipment utilization, and
inventory.

9. In an affluent society, how do we produce a wide number of options for products at low cost?

10. What products would you expect to have made by a repetitive process?

11. Name and describe the tools of process analysis and design.

12. Provide an example of the focus strategy for improving service productivity.

13. How might we isolate the production/operations process from the customer?

14. List the typical elements in a process control system.

15. List the advances being made in technology to enhance production.

16. Explain, in your own words, what a robot is, within the context of production technology.

17. Explain, in your own words, what a flexible manufacturing system is.

18. List the benefits of flexible manufacturing systems.

19. List five examples of technology's impact on services. Specifically, identify one of these which has led to labor cost
reductions. Discuss briefly. Can you add an item, not identified in the textbook, to this list?

20. How are environmental issues linked to the process choice? Won't being an environmentally conscious firm drive up costs
and take away any competitive advantage? Discuss, with examples to support your position.

21. Why do modern operations managers look for flexibility in their equipment?