Production Management Flashcards

Which scheduling rule minimizes the average number of jobs waiting in a queue by always processing the shortest job first?

Answer: Shortest Processing Time (SPT)

SPT (Shortest Processing Time) minimizes mean flow time and average number of jobs in the system.

In a pull production system, what triggers the release of a production order?

Answer: Downstream demand or consumption

Pull systems release work only when downstream stages signal actual consumption, as in kanban.

The Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model assumes which of the following?

Answer: Holding and ordering costs are constant and known

EOQ's classical formulation requires constant, known demand and fixed holding and ordering costs.

Which type of plant layout groups machines by the type of process or function they perform?

Answer: Process layout

Process (functional) layout arranges equipment by function, such as all lathes in one area and all mills in another.

Takt time is calculated as:

Answer: Total production time divided by total units required

Takt time = available production time ÷ customer demand rate, setting the pace for production.

In a two-bin inventory system, a new order is placed when:

Answer: The first bin is emptied and consumption shifts to the second bin

In the two-bin system, emptying the first bin triggers reordering while the second bin covers demand during lead time.

Which aggregate planning strategy adjusts workforce size to match demand fluctuations?

Answer: Chase strategy

The chase strategy varies production output by hiring or laying off workers in response to demand changes.