Methods of Production
Job
Definition:
items are made individually
and each item is finished
before the next one is
started.
(Designer dresses)
 One-off, specialised
production.
Tailor made, meets
specific customer
requirements.
 Usually ‘labour intensive’
(relies heavily on skilled
workers).
☺ Can sell the product for a
premium p​Product usually high
quality
rice.
☺ Wo​Producer meets individual
customer needs​rker satisfaction is
high, therefore less problems
with motivation, absenteeism &
labour turnover.
☺ Th​Greater job satisfaction ​oods
have already been ordered (and
possibly paid for), so they have
Batch
Definition:
groups of items are made
together. Each batch is
finished before starting the
next block of goods.
 Made in batches
(different shapes, colours,
sizes, etc.
OR
 Made in stages (doors,
bonnets, and engines) and
then assembled.
Advantages
☺​ ​cheaper to produce a whole
batch instead of single,
machines can be used more
effectively​ skills e.g. best at
making doors or bonnets.
☺ Prod​lower cost ( fewer
workers and more
machines)​uctiaonssevels of
different products can be altered
to meet demand.
Flow
Definition:
identical, standardised items
are produced on an
assembly line
 Continuous production.
 Usually mass production
& ‘capital intensive’ (relies
heavily on machines).
☺ Pr​ a high number of products
can roll off assembly lines at
very low cost becuase it uses a
high proportion of machinery in
relation to workers​oductivity is
high and therefore, unit costs are
low.
☺ Workers can be paid low wages
because they are unskilled.
already been sold (improving cash
flow).
☹ Require​Cost of ​producing​ one
unit or ​job​ is higher​s highly skilled
workers which can be expensive
(high wages and high training
costs).
☺ Sp​Requires investment in skills
and training​ecialist equipment
might be needed for one job, but
not the next.
☺ Production is slow, so
customers need to be willing to
wait longer.
Disadvantages
☹ ​Errors with the batch ☺ Bored​so much machinery it is
produced will incur wasted time very difficult to alter the
and cost​Lots of storage space production process.​om for
needed for various parts. workers can lead to mistakes,
☹ ​Ther​Increased storage costs  absenteeism, high labour
for large quantities of  turnover, and general
produced products​e will be de-motivation.
‘downtime’ whilst the m​achines ☺ Hi​the work can be pretty
are being changed from making boring for employees involved.
one product to another. Keeping staff motivated is
therefore an important issue​gh
cost of machinery in the short
term.