Questions on Operations Management
Chapter 1: Introduction to Operations Management
Overview
This chapter provides a definition of operations management. The role and importance of operations in an organization are described, along with operations decisions that are made. The differences between manufacturing and services are described. The history and current trends of operations management are discussed, including the impact of information systems. Finally, the interaction between operations and other business functions are described.
Answers to Discussion Questions in Textbook
1. Define the term operations management.
Operations management manages the resources needed to produce the company’s products and services. It involves managing people, machines and information.
2. Explain the decisions operations managers make and give three examples.
Operations managers must plan the production schedule. This entails deciding how much to produce and in what order. This information would be used to make purchasing and staffing decisions. Operations managers must manage inventory. They must arrange the inventory in the warehouse. They also facilitate the movement of inventory from the warehouse to the retail facilities or the customer. Operations managers also must manage quality levels. This may include inspection of materials, and the use of quality tools such as control charts.
3. Describe the transformation process of a business. Give three examples. What constitutes the transformation process at an advertising agency, a bank, and a TV station?
The transformation process involves taking the various inputs and transforming them into outputs. An advertising agency would transform the time of its staff into an advertising campaign. A bank may use the time of a teller, an input computer, and a bank branch to accept a deposit. A TV station could use the time of its production crew, the video equipment, and the studio to produce a news story.
4. What are the
Overview
This chapter provides a definition of operations management. The role and importance of operations in an organization are described, along with operations decisions that are made. The differences between manufacturing and services are described. The history and current trends of operations management are discussed, including the impact of information systems. Finally, the interaction between operations and other business functions are described.
Answers to Discussion Questions in Textbook
1. Define the term operations management.
Operations management manages the resources needed to produce the company’s products and services. It involves managing people, machines and information.
2. Explain the decisions operations managers make and give three examples.
Operations managers must plan the production schedule. This entails deciding how much to produce and in what order. This information would be used to make purchasing and staffing decisions. Operations managers must manage inventory. They must arrange the inventory in the warehouse. They also facilitate the movement of inventory from the warehouse to the retail facilities or the customer. Operations managers also must manage quality levels. This may include inspection of materials, and the use of quality tools such as control charts.
3. Describe the transformation process of a business. Give three examples. What constitutes the transformation process at an advertising agency, a bank, and a TV station?
The transformation process involves taking the various inputs and transforming them into outputs. An advertising agency would transform the time of its staff into an advertising campaign. A bank may use the time of a teller, an input computer, and a bank branch to accept a deposit. A TV station could use the time of its production crew, the video equipment, and the studio to produce a news story.
4. What are the