Exam 25: Learning Curves

Sally suspects strongly that there is a learning curve associated with solving problems assigned for operations management.She notes that it took her approximately 33 minutes to solve the first problem and 20 minutes to solve the fifth problem. a.Estimate Sally's learning percentage. b.Using your answer from part a,estimate how much longer it will take Sally to finish the three problems that remain.

A small manufacturer that offers "hand crafted" furniture has developed a new style of desk that they believe will be very successful in the marketplace.It is expected that the first desk will take about 60 hours of craftsmen's time to complete.They expect a 90% learning curve for this desk. How long will it take to make the 20th desk? The firm is considering accepting an order for 25 desks.How many hours of labour will this require for all 25?

A defence contractor has just started producing engines for a new government contract.The first engine took 800 hours to produce.If the learning curve is 80%,how long will it take to produce the first 20 engines? (Use at least three decimals in the exponent if you use the logarithmic approach,or Use Table E.3 (in the text)cumulative coefficient. )

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%? Assume that labour costs $10/hour and the first unit cost $100 to produce.

Failure to consider the effects of learning can lead to ________ of labour needs.

When learning curves are plotted on ________ scales,the "curves" become straight lines.

The learning curve for a product is 90%.The first unit took 10 hours to complete.The manufacturer wants to determine how many hours the fourth unit will take by using the logarithmic method.The coefficient b for that calculation is approximately

Which one of the following courses of actions would not be taken by a firm wanting to pursue a learning curve steeper than the industry average?

In the Learning-Curve Coefficients table for 70% learning,the sixth unit has a unit time value of 0.398.Verify that table entry by use of the logarithmic formula.Use five decimals in your work.

Describe the earliest application of learning curve concepts to industry.

Reevaluation of learning curves is inappropriate.

The first unit of a product took 832 hours to build,and the learning curve is 75%.How long will it take to make the 30th unit? (Use at least three decimals in the exponent if you use the logarithmic approach. )

The first unit of a product took 50 hours to build,and the learning curve is 80%.How long will it take to make the third unit? (Use at least three decimals in the exponent if you use the logarithmic approach. )

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. )

An 80% learning curve means that with each unit increase in production,labour requirements fall by 20%.

A firm that successfully pursues a steeper-than-industry-average learning curve and manages costs down may still fail if,by underestimating a strong competitor,it fails to gain the added volume necessary for the learning curve to exist.

When comparing a 70% learning curve versus a 90% learning curve,which one results in a more rapid reduction in labour requirements? Why?

In the logarithmic approach to learning curve calculations,you have used the formula TN = T1.(Nb).For a problem with a 92% learning rate,what is b?

What is the basic premise underlying the learning curve?

The logarithmic approach to learning curve calculations allows us to determine the hours required for any unit.