Operations & Process Management Flashcards

Under the Theory of Constraints, what should be done first when improving system throughput?

Answer: Identify the constraint

The first of the five focusing steps is to identify the system's constraint.

Takt time is calculated as:

Answer: Available production time divided by customer demand

Takt time equals available working time divided by customer demand, setting the pace of production.

According to Little's Law, average work in process (WIP) equals:

Answer: Throughput multiplied by cycle time

Little's Law states WIP = throughput × cycle time for a stable system.

On a control chart, a point falling outside the control limits most likely indicates:

Answer: A special-cause variation to investigate

Points beyond control limits signal special-cause variation that warrants investigation.

Which Japanese term refers to continuous, incremental improvement involving all employees?

Answer: Kaizen

Kaizen means 'change for the better' through ongoing small improvements.

What is the purpose of poka-yoke in a process?

Answer: Mistake-proofing to prevent or detect errors

Poka-yoke designs error prevention or immediate detection into the process.

Which metric best measures the percentage of units completing a process with no rework or defects the first time?

Answer: First pass yield

First pass yield is the share of units that pass without rework or scrap.