In forward scheduling, jobs are scheduled as late as possible within the time allowed by
the customer due dates.
Finding an ideal mixed strategy is complicated by the huge number of possible
strategies.
Keiretsus offer a middle ground between few suppliers and vertical integration.
Operations splitting sends pieces to the next operation before the entire lot is completed
on the previous operation.
The Hawthorne studies, which showed that there is a dynamic social system in the
workplace, took place in the 1960s.
Many service firms use point-of-sale computers to collect detailed records needed for
accurate short-term forecasts.
Design capacity is the theoretical maximum output of a system in a given period under
ideal conditions.
Manufacturing now constitutes the largest economic sector in postindustrial societies.
Quality function deployment refers to first, determining what will satisfy the customer,
and second, translating the customers’ desires into a target design.
One phase of a large project is scheduling.
If the process average is in control, then the process range must also be in control.
An example of expected monetary value would be the payoff from selecting a particular
alternative when a particular state of nature occurs.
A waiting-line problem that cannot be modeled by standard distributions has been
simulated. The table below shows the result of a Monte Carlo simulation. (Assume that
the simulation began at 8:00 a.m. and there is only one server.
a. What is the average waiting time in line?
b. What is the average time in the system?
A PERT project has 45 activities, 19 of which are on the critical path. The estimated
time for the critical path is 120 days. The sum of all activity variances is 64, while the
sum of variances along the critical path is 36. The probability that the project can be
completed between days 108 and 120 is
A) -2.00
B) 0.0227
C) 0.1058
D) 0.4773
E) 0.9773
Which of the following is false regarding capacity expansion?
A) “Average” capacity sometimes leads demand, sometimes lags it.
B) If “lagging” capacity is chosen, excess demand can be met with overtime or
subcontracting.
C) Total cost comparisons are a rather direct method of comparing capacity alternatives.
D) Capacity may only be added in large chunks.
E) All of the above are true.
If a sample of items is taken and the mean of the sample is outside the control limits the
process is
A) out of control and the cause should be established
B) in control, but not capable of producing within the established control limits
C) within the established control limits with only natural causes of variation
D) monitored closely to see if the next sample mean will also fall outside the control
limits
E) producing high quality products
Which of these assumptions is not associated with strategies for goods-producing
location decisions?
A) Most major costs can be identified explicitly for each site.
B) Focus on identifiable cost.
C) High customer contact issues are critical.
D) Intangible costs can be evaluated.
E) Location is a major determinant of cost.
Retail layouts thrive on the notion that
A) handling costs should be minimized
B) storage costs should be minimized
C) average customer visit duration should be maximized
D) space used should be minimized
E) maximizing customer exposure rate maximizes sales and profit
New trends in operations management include
A) global focus
B) mass customization
C) empowered employees
D) rapid product development
E) All of the above are new trends in operations management.
A strategy is a(n)
A) set of opportunities in the marketplace
B) broad statement of purpose
C) simulation used to test various product line options
D) plan for cost reduction
E) action plan to achieve the mission
Which portion of the master production schedule is normally fixed, frozen, or firm?
A) the entire schedule
B) only the aggregate schedule
C) only the middle of the schedule
D) only the near-term portion
E) only the far-term portion
Which of the following statements regarding finite capacity scheduling (FCS) is false?
A) Finite capacity scheduling allows delivery needs to be balanced against efficiency.
B) Finite capacity scheduling overcomes the disadvantages of systems based
exclusively on rules.
C) Finite capacity scheduling allows virtually instantaneous change by operators.
D) Finite capacity scheduling software formalizes the same data needed in any manual
system.
E) None; all of the above are true.
Which critical ratio value implies that a job is already late?
A) more than 100
B) 1
C) less than 1
D) 10
E) none of the above
Describe the important operating characteristics of a queuing system.
What is queue discipline? State three rules for queue discipline. Which of these rules
appears most frequently in the four main models?
A good capacity decision requires that it be tightly integrated with the organization’s
strategy and investments. But there are other “considerations” to making a good
capacity decision. Name them. Describe each in a sentence or two.
Which country should the firm choose for production using an unweighted factor
method if high scores indicate low risk?
Assembly line balancing has just been used to solve a product layout problem. Two
solutions look especially attractive to the plant managers. Both solutions make the same
output per day, and both have the same number of workstations. The managers were
going to break the tie by looking at line efficiency, but discovered that both lines had
the same efficiency as well. Should they have been surprised at this? Explain.
What four things are needed to develop an aggregate plan?
The elements of a transportation problem that supply goods are referred to as
__________.