Exam 22: Learning Curves

The first unit of a product took 50 hours to build, and the learning curve is 85%. How long will it take to make the 10th unit? (Use at least three decimals in the exponent if you use the logarithmic approach.)

A 90% learning curve implies that each time the production volume is doubled the direct time per unit is reduced to 90% of its previous value.

Which of the following statements regarding the usefulness of learning curves is false?

What is the basic premise underlying the learning curve?

Which of the following is false regarding learning curves?

The fundamental premise underlying learning curve analysis is that

If the first unit in a series of units takes 200 days to complete, and the learning curve is 80%, then the second unit will take 160 days.

A job with a 90% learning curve required 20 hours for the initial unit. The fourth unit should require approximately how many hours?

The first unit of a product took 900 hours to build and the learning curve is 90%. How long will it take to make the first 3 units? (Use Table E.3 in the text.)

The learning curve may not be permanent; it can be disrupted by changes in process, personnel, or product.

Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of the arithmetic approach over the logarithmic approach to learning curve calculations.

In addition to labour, to which other variables have learning curves been applied?

A product was priced assuming an 80% learning rate. How much extra labour (in %) will be required on the 4th product if the learning rate is actually 90%?

Joe's Manufacturing is considering bidding on a small order for 5 units. Based on similar products that they have made in the past, they believe that the first unit will take 500 labour hours. They also believe that there will be an 80% learning rate. How many hours of labour should Joe include for his bid?

A learning curve

Describe the earliest application of learning curve concepts to industry.

The ________ is the simplest approach to learning curve problems.

A project manager bases his time and labour estimates on a learning curve of 86%. The actual learning curve turns out to be 89%. The manager, because of the decreased learning, will complete his project in more time and with more labour use.

Your firm has expertise with a special type of hand-finished furniture. The learning rate is known to be 82%. If the first piece of furniture took 6 hours, estimate how long it will take to complete the third unit.

Explain how learning curves might be applied in a scheduling application.