Question 1

A neighborhood hardware store mixes a gallon of paint to match a customer's color choice while the customer waits.This is which form of mass customization?

Accepted Answer

Postponement is defined as deferring a portion of production (mixing color) until the point of delivery (retail store).

Question 2

Batch flow production systems have a number of characteristics.Which of the following is typically NOT a characteristic of batch flow production systems?

Accepted Answer

Batch operations often use general-purpose equipment to allow more flexibility (Section 4.1).

Question 3

Which process best aligns with 3-D printing capability?

Accepted Answer

Currently, 3-D printing is best applied to small volume, custom production.

Question 4

An organization's process strategy must be linked with product plans and management's competitive priorities.Which company below is most likely to choose a batch flow production system?

Accepted Answer

Standardized, high volume, and commodity products all indicate assembly line or continuous flow.

Question 5

A company invests in water purification equipment that adds a step to its manufacturing process.This would be considered

Accepted Answer

Pollution control is structural investment most commonly made to an existing process.

Question 6

Which of these factors should a company consider while deciding on a certain process choice?

Accepted Answer

The four factors given are market conditions, capital requirements, labor cost and availability, and the state of technology.

Question 7

The focus of the factory may take shape around several dimensions.Which of the following is NOT a dimension for focusing operations?

Accepted Answer

A, B, and C are common focus areas, but capacity is not

Question 8

Which of the following statements concerning make-to-order (MTO)is correct?

Accepted Answer

Although MTO allows more flexibility for customized products, much MTO business is for routine and standard products - they are just not produced until the order is received.

Question 9

A machine shop is able to produce a bracket with a wide variety of hole sizes using a computer-controlled drill that quickly rotates the proper drill bit into place to meet the customer order.This is which form of mass customization?

Accepted Answer

Fast changeover often depends on automation to allow the speed necessary to provide customization at the same cost as mass production.

Question 10

Which of the following items is least suited for 3-D printing?

Accepted Answer

The volume required for a national sales promotion would make 3-D printing a poor choice for production (slow and expensive).

Question 11

The project form of operations has several common characteristics.Which of the following is typically NOT a characteristic of projects?

Accepted Answer

Because of their unique nature, project work is very difficult to automate.

Question 12

Which of the following would NOT be considered an advantage of 3-D printing?

Accepted Answer

3-D printing is not expected to replace traditional manufacturing anytime soon.

Question 13

A company produces a variety of cast cement bird baths and outdoor sculptures and sells them to garden store retailers.This company most likely uses

Accepted Answer

Most logical is a batch process, where a quantity of cement is mixed and used to fill a batch of molds used to form the desired product(s). It would not be a job-shop environment because the output is likely sold to retailers from produced stock.

Question 14

Which of the following is most important when designing a new production process?

Accepted Answer

Pollution prevention is important when designing new processes, while control and practices are more important to existing processes.

Question 15

A "focused factory" refers to

Accepted Answer

When different missions or order-winning strategies are mixed in the same operations, confusion and a lack of focus often result.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing process choice?

Accepted Answer

Project demand, rate of change, and labor skill and availability all are primary factors, but outsourcing resources is not.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most important role of marketing in the process selection decision?

Accepted Answer

Marketing's primary responsibility in process selection is to estimate the market size, then manage demand once the process is in place.

Question 18

Make-to-stock (MTS)and make-to-order (MTO)choices each offer relative advantages and disadvantages.Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

MTO is more flexible and does build to customer orders, but is usually slower and more costly.

Question 19

Continuous processes and assembly lines are very efficient but have little flexibility.

Accepted Answer

Continuous flow and assembly lines are highly standardized and able to handle high volume through inflexible equipment and labor.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the evolution of production process and product life cycles is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Most successful companies want to be positioned on the diagonal.

Quiz 4: Process Selection