MHC Logistics & Workflow Efficiency 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In lean warehousing, what does the term 'muda' refer to?
- A Japanese scheduling method
- Waste in any form that does not add value (Correct answer)
- A type of kanban signal card
- The 5S workplace organization standard
Correct answer: Waste in any form that does not add value
Muda is a Japanese term for waste, referring to any activity that consumes resources without creating value for the customer.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the 8 wastes identified in lean logistics?
- Overproduction
- Waiting
- Standardization (Correct answer)
- Defects
Correct answer: Standardization
Standardization is a lean tool used to eliminate waste, not a waste category itself; the 8 wastes are overproduction, waiting, transport, overprocessing, inventory, motion, defects, and unused talent.
Question 3: A pick path that follows a serpentine route through all warehouse aisles is called which type of routing strategy?
- S-shape (serpentine) routing (Correct answer)
- Return routing
- Midpoint routing
- Largest gap routing
Correct answer: S-shape (serpentine) routing
S-shape (serpentine) routing guides pickers up and down consecutive aisles in a continuous path, which is simple and commonly used for large pick lists.
Question 4: When evaluating warehouse labor productivity, which metric directly measures the efficiency of picking operations?
- Cost per square foot of warehouse space
- Lines picked per labor hour (Correct answer)
- Number of inbound shipments per day
- Cubic utilization percentage
Correct answer: Lines picked per labor hour
Lines picked per labor hour directly quantifies how many individual pick tasks a worker completes in one hour, making it a core picking productivity KPI.
Question 5: What is the function of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) directed putaway?
- Automatically generates purchase orders when stock is low
- Assigns optimal storage locations to incoming items based on rules (Correct answer)
- Tracks driver hours and compliance records
- Prints shipping labels and bills of lading
Correct answer: Assigns optimal storage locations to incoming items based on rules
WMS directed putaway uses system-defined rules (velocity, weight, zone) to guide workers to the best available storage location for each received item.
Question 6: Which scheduling approach sequences outbound loads to ensure trailers depart in priority order based on delivery commitments?
- First-in, first-out (FIFO) loading
- Appointment scheduling with load sequencing (Correct answer)
- Random trailer assignment
- LIFO staging
Correct answer: Appointment scheduling with load sequencing
Appointment scheduling with load sequencing aligns outbound trailer loading and departure times with customer delivery windows and priority commitments.
Question 7: In a multi-echelon distribution network, what role does a regional distribution center (RDC) typically serve?
- Manufactures finished goods for local retailers
- Receives bulk shipments from national DCs and redistributes to local stores or customers (Correct answer)
- Stores only returned merchandise for inspection
- Operates exclusively as a cross-dock without inventory
Correct answer: Receives bulk shipments from national DCs and redistributes to local stores or customers
An RDC receives consolidated shipments from national distribution centers and breaks them down for redistribution to local stores or end customers within a region.
MHC Logistics & Workflow Efficiency 3
In lean warehousing, what does the term 'muda' refer to?