Production + Location
Explain the difference between job and batch production
Job production - single one-off items are produced to customer’s specific design or requirements
Batch production - group of identical (for example, seasonal) products pass through each stage together
Define ‘external’ and ‘internal’ stakeholders
External - people and organisations that are outside of the business, they include suppliers, governments, customers, and creditors. Internal - anyone within the organisation, they include employees, owners, shareholders, and managers
What is lean manufacturing
producing goods and services efficiently with the minimum of waste resources while maintaining high quality
What is the PM Triangle? Why is it important in PM?
The PM (Project Management) Triangle, also known as the Triple Constraint, is essential because it helps project managers balance three critical aspects of any project: scope, time, and cost. By understanding and managing these constraints, project managers can ensure that project objectives are met while maintaining quality. It provides a framework for making informed decisions and trade-offs, facilitating better planning, resource allocation, and risk management throughout the project lifecycle
Give an example of an organisation that went through change. Was the transition successful? Why / why not?
Students' answers. Module 3 Class 3
Describe at least three quantitative factors influencing the choice of location
Land, Labour and Transport Costs; Government Financial Support
Create your SMART goal.
Students' answers. Module 3 Class 1.
Which stock control method reflects the lean principles?
Just-in-time (JIT) - a stock-control method that aims to avoid holding stocks by requiring supplies to arrive just as they are needed in production and where completed products are produced to order
Name and describe five phases of the project lifecycle
Planning, Initiating, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, Closing.
Module 4 Class 3
Explain the difference between ‘high-context cultures’ and ‘low-context cultures’
High-context cultures rely heavily on implicit communication, non-verbal cues, and shared context. Communication is often indirect, emphasizing relationships and trust. Examples include Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and Latin American cultures.
Low-context cultures, on the other hand, prioritize explicit communication using words rather than context. Messages are direct, and individualism is often emphasized. Examples include North American, Western European, and many Northern European cultures.
Explain the difference between mass and cell production
Mass production - production of standardised goods in high volumes
Cell production - mass production where self-contained teams and equipment grouped together for efficiency
Describe the most effective stakeholder engagement strategy and justify your choice
Students' answers. Module 3 class 2
To what extent is benchmarking effective?
Students' answers. Module 4 Class 2
Name four steps of risk management
Risk Identification, Risk Measurement, Risk Mitigation, Review & Monitoring.
Module 4 Class 4
In a minute explain what these models are:
Bridges’, Lewin’s, ADKAR, Kotter’s
Students' answers. Module 3 Class 3
Describe at least three qualitative factors influencing the choice of location
Competition; Market Access; Labour availability; Infrastructure; Suppliers
Describe four stakeholder engagement strategies
Identifying your stakeholders; implementing clear and transparent communication; keeping stakeholders informed; including stakeholders in decision making process.
Module 3 class 2
Explain the difference between quality control and quality assurance
Quality control means inspecting finished goods to identify any defects or check that they meet the desired level of quality,
Quality assurance that monitors quality standards across the entire production process to prevent any defects.
More info - Module 4 Class 2
Choose four risk management strategies and describe them, say where and when they are effective
Module 4 class 4
Name at least five elements of corporate culture
Corporate values; workplace atmosphere; workplace time; dress code; workplace personalization; employee interaction; community interaction; leisure time.
What should be decided when choosing a production method?
Product Type, Market Demand: High demand might require flow production, while small quantities might work better with batch production, Cost: Batch or job production may have higher costs per unit compared to mass production, Workforce Skills: Job production requires highly skilled workers, while flow production may rely more on automated systems, Flexibility: Does the company need to quickly switch between products? Batch production offers more flexibility than mass production.
Choose one goal setting framework - OKR or MBO - and say its:
- key components
- benefits
- drawbacks
- what it’s best for
Students’ answers. Module 3 Class 1
What are the pluses and minuses of implementing lean and TQM?
Pluses:
It can create closer working relationships with all stakeholders (including suppliers and customers). It can motivate the workers. It can reduce costs (especially long-term costs). It can improve the design and production of quality products. It can enhance the reputation of the company.
Minuses:
It is costly (especially in the short term). Staff may need significant training. It may take time to change a corporate culture. It can create a lot of stress on formal relationships in the business. It is difficult to maintain over a long period of time.
Explain what Kanban, Waterfall, Agile, and Scrum are. Describe their pros and cons.
Explain how the production process model works and give a specific example
The production process model explains how a business transforms inputs into outputs through a series of processes.
A bakery: