Exam 10: Operations Management, Productivity, and Quality

A software development company is designing an evaluation plan for its software programmers. The company feels that changes are necessary because it lacks the facts it needs to distinguish outstanding software programmers from those that are only average, or worse. Previously, the company paid software programmers a flat salary and based evaluations on supervisors' opinions. Now, however, the company is considering the following measures for its software programmers: Measurement Strategy Alpha: Software programmers will be evaluated based on the total number of lines of code that they produce. Measurement Strategy Beta: Software programmers will be evaluated based on their ability to produce computer code that is free of errors. Measurement Strategy Gamma: Software programmers will be evaluated based on the market success of the products they produce. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the argument that the company should use Measurement Strategy Alpha?

Performance quality is the consistency of product quality from unit to unit.

What is involved in supply chain management? What are the advantages of effective supply chain management?

Low-contact systems generally provide somewhat lower quality service than high-contact systems.

How should capacity planning be done for service businesses?

Scooters Corp. manufactures motorized scooters. Virtually all scooters are sold through direct appeals on the QVC shopping network. Overwhelmed by recent demand, top management is wondering whether the production system should be changed. Would a make-to-stock or make-to-order operations process be most efficient for the production of scooters? Explain.

What is the difference between high-contact and low-contact services? Give an example of each.

The process flow chart identifies the sequence of production activities, movements of materials, and work performed at each stage as the product flows through production.

What is a product layout?

Once plans identify needed resources and how they will be used to reach a firm's goals, managers must develop timetables for acquiring resources for production. This aspect of operations is called

What is a control chart?

Identify and briefly discuss the three characteristics which differentiate services from goods.

A third industrial revolution is now underway which is based on new technologies, software, robots, and miniaturization.

The four kinds of utility provided by a product or service are time, place, price, and form.

The main advantage of process layouts is

What is the difference between quality and productivity? Explain the connection between productivity and quality.

Operations control requires production managers to monitor production performance by comparing results with detailed plans and schedules.

Describe two alternatives for production facility layouts.

According to Michael Porter, a Harvard University expert on international competitiveness, Canada's competitiveness is a concern because

Meredith is creating an operations planning and control system for a manufacturer. What should she do first?