1- Technology has greatly impacted the world of Operations Management. Discuss some of the potential risks and benefits associated with implementing new technology into an organization.
2- We are living in a rapidly changing global economy. As a result, organizations are being forced to make changes in order to stay competitive. Some businesses have chosen to convert from traditional manufacturing processes to a lean manufacturing environment. What does this mean? How do the two systems differ? What are some of the advantages of using lean manufacturing?
3- Layout decisions can greatly impact productivity, costs, safety, and quality. What are the 3 main types of layouts? Briefly describe each type and explain some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each type. How can the layout help or hinder productivity?
4- Suppose you are the operations manager for a company. The company has just received a large order for a non-perishable product during its already busy season. As the company now stands, it does not have the capacity to fulfill this order. What options does the company have to try to complete the order? Which is the best alternative? What are the costs involved? Should the company accept the order or tell the customer it cannot meet its needs?
5- Material Requirements Planning (MRP) helps to ease the process of calculating inventory and scheduling needs. What is MRP? What are the three major inputs to MRP? What does MRP calculate? Suppose the Bill of Materials for a finished good is inaccurate. What problems does this pose? Provide an example.
6- A firm that manufactures tables has recently noticed a decline in productivity and is therefore, becoming less efficient. The product remains unchanged, yet the completed items per shift has declined. What are some potential causes to the decline in productivity? What can the firm do to bring productivity and efficiency back to its original rate?
