Question 1

Which one of the following statements concerning flow diagrams is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Flow diagrams can take many forms. 
B)  It is helpful on flow diagrams to label each step with process measurements such as cost, capacity, or total elapsed time. 
C)  Flow diagrams trace the flow of information, customers, equipment, employees, or materials through a process. 
D)  The dotted line of visibility separates activities subcontracted from those done in-house. 
A)  Flow diagrams can take many forms. 
B)  It is helpful on flow diagrams to label each step with process measurements such as cost, capacity, or total elapsed time. 
C)  Flow diagrams trace the flow of information, customers, equipment, employees, or materials through a process. 
D)  The dotted line of visibility separates activities subcontracted from those done in-house. D

Question 2

________ is the mix of equipment and human skills in a process.

Accepted Answer

Capital intensity

Question 3

Explain the distinction between processes structured as line processes and continuous flow processes.Provide examples of both types of processes to support your explanation.

Accepted Answer

A line process involves linear movement of materials,information,or customers from one operation to the next according to a fixed sequence.Volumes are relatively high and products or services are standardized,allowing productive resources to be organized around a product or service.Services based on line processes typically follow a standardized-services strategy.In manufacturing,line processes are often referred to as mass production or assembly lines,common labels associated with high volume,repetitive manufacturing operations.Typically production lots for line processes are not linked to specific customer orders,rather line processes follow a make-to-stock strategy so that inventory is available to respond to customer orders.Advances in processing and information technologies are making it more feasible for line processes to incorporate greater product variety,based on a assemble-to-order strategy that controls the addition of standard options to the main product or service. This combination of line processes with high volume and customization of product or services is referred to as mass customization.
Continuous flow processes involve the extreme end of high-volume,standardized production using rigid line flow process facilities.Process industries such as petroleum refineries,steel plants,and high volume food processing facilities are typical of continuous flow processes.Continuous flow processes involve capital-intensive production technology,typically operated with large production runs to maximize capacity utilization and to avoid expensive shutdowns and startups. Raw materials are continually input to the process during production,with the output flowing from one processing stage to the next in a continuous manner.
Examples used to support the explanation of the distinction between line and continuous flow processes will vary.

Question 4

A continuous process is characterized by a high degree of job customization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The more processes in the supply chain that the organization performs itself,the less vertically integrated it is.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Project processes involve a higher degree of customization than line processes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

What is the difference between fixed automation and flexible (or programmable)automation?

Accepted Answer

Fixed automation produces one

Question 8

Compare the typical arrangement of high volume processes to low volume processes in terms of the process decisions of process structure,customer involvement,resource flexibility,and capital intensity.

Accepted Answer

High volume operations typically involve

Question 9

Which one of the following is NOT normally an advantage of outsourcing?

Accepted Answer

A)  increased supplier options due to globalization 
B)  advanced capabilities to coordinate suppliers through information technology 
C)  less required investment in capital equipment 
D)  tighter control over product quality 
A)  increased supplier options due to globalization 
B)  advanced capabilities to coordinate suppliers through information technology 
C)  less required investment in capital equipment 
D)  tighter control over product quality

Question 10

The emphasis of reengineering is on the functional departments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

A front-office process has high customer involvement,with the process being directly visible to the internal or external customer.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which one of the following statements on the concept of gaining focus is best?

Accepted Answer

A)  Focused factories maximize the amount of customization. 
B)  Small sizes of many focused factories make it difficult to compete on the basis of shorter lead times. 
C)  Plants within plants are different operations within a facility that can have individualized competitive priorities and processes. 
D)  Focused factories are large factories producing all the products that the company offers. 
A)  Focused factories maximize the amount of customization. 
B)  Small sizes of many focused factories make it difficult to compete on the basis of shorter lead times. 
C)  Plants within plants are different operations within a facility that can have individualized competitive priorities and processes. 
D)  Focused factories are large factories producing all the products that the company offers.

Question 13

Under which one of the following environments would you opt for a higher degree of resource flexibility?

Accepted Answer

A)  a firm using a flexible flow strategy 
B)  a firm facing a stable demand 
C)  a firm using a line flow strategy 
D)  a firm producing only one product 
A)  a firm using a flexible flow strategy 
B)  a firm facing a stable demand 
C)  a firm using a line flow strategy 
D)  a firm producing only one product

Question 14

Project processes are typically used to create one-of-a-kind products or services.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Simulation is an act of reproducing the behaviour of a process using a model that describes each step of the process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The manner and extent to which customer involvement becomes part of the process is determined by

Accepted Answer

A)  the potential for cost savings based on self-service. 
B)  the extent to which preferences for customized features must be determined. 
C)  whether or not the customer has to be present fora service to be provided. 
D)  all the factors listed above. 
A)  the potential for cost savings based on self-service. 
B)  the extent to which preferences for customized features must be determined. 
C)  whether or not the customer has to be present fora service to be provided. 
D)  all the factors listed above.

Question 17

Job processes support higher production volumes than line processes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which of the following statements about customer involvement is best?

Accepted Answer

A)  In service industries, customer contact is of minor importance. 
B)  For services that directly involve the customer, the customer often dictates time and location of the service. 
C)  A firm that produces standardized products often seeks customer specifications. 
D)  When customer involvement is high a process is more likely to use a standardized-services process rather than a customized-services process. 
A)  In service industries, customer contact is of minor importance. 
B)  For services that directly involve the customer, the customer often dictates time and location of the service. 
C)  A firm that produces standardized products often seeks customer specifications. 
D)  When customer involvement is high a process is more likely to use a standardized-services process rather than a customized-services process.

Question 19

Which one of the following groups of activities is likely to be shown on a process chart?

Accepted Answer

A)  operation, inspection, delay 
B)  operation, capital intensity, flow strategy 
C)  transportation, material flow, physical layout 
D)  storage, delay, personnel involved 
A)  operation, inspection, delay 
B)  operation, capital intensity, flow strategy 
C)  transportation, material flow, physical layout 
D)  storage, delay, personnel involved

Question 20

More vertical integration means more outsourcing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 3: Process Configuration

Which one of the following statements concerning flow diagrams is NOT true?

________ is the mix of equipment and human skills in a process.

Explain the distinction between processes structured as line processes and continuous flow processes.Provide examples of both types of processes to support your explanation.

A continuous process is characterized by a high degree of job customization.

The more processes in the supply chain that the organization performs itself,the less vertically integrated it is.

Project processes involve a higher degree of customization than line processes.

What is the difference between fixed automation and flexible (or programmable)automation?

Compare the typical arrangement of high volume processes to low volume processes in terms of the process decisions of process structure,customer involvement,resource flexibility,and capital intensity.

Which one of the following is NOT normally an advantage of outsourcing?

The emphasis of reengineering is on the functional departments.

A front-office process has high customer involvement,with the process being directly visible to the internal or external customer.

Which one of the following statements on the concept of gaining focus is best?

Under which one of the following environments would you opt for a higher degree of resource flexibility?

Project processes are typically used to create one-of-a-kind products or services.

Simulation is an act of reproducing the behaviour of a process using a model that describes each step of the process.

The manner and extent to which customer involvement becomes part of the process is determined by

Job processes support higher production volumes than line processes.

Which of the following statements about customer involvement is best?

Which one of the following groups of activities is likely to be shown on a process chart?

More vertical integration means more outsourcing.

Creating Customer Value through Operations

Supply Chain Management

Capacity

Inventory Management

Quality and Process Improvement

Lean Systems

Managing Projects

Location and Layout

Managing Demand and Forecasting

Operations Planning and Scheduling

Resource Planning

Decision Making

Financial Analysis

Work Measurement

Learning Curve Analysis

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Acceptance Sampling Plans

Simulation

Special Inventory Models

Linear Programming

Waiting Lines

Filters