1 Foundations of Operations Management Free Online FlashCards

What does operations management do?

Operations management designs, directs, and improves the processes that turn resources into goods and services.

What is the basic operations transformation model?

Inputs pass through a transformation process to become outputs. The process adds value by changing inputs to meet customer or stakeholder needs.

How do operations connect with other organizational functions?

Marketing communicates customer needs and demand, finance evaluates costs and investments, human resources supports staffing and skills, and operations organizes delivery.

What does the operations objective of quality mean?

Quality means providing outputs that meet requirements and customer expectations. Error rates, defect rates, and service accuracy can measure it.

How can managers make an objective actionable?

Express an objective as a specific measure, then pair it with a target and review period. For example, track the percentage of orders delivered by the promised date.

What trade-off can arise from keeping extra staff available?

Keeping extra staff available may improve response speed and flexibility, but it can increase operating costs.

What are the main steps in operational decision making?

Clarify the goal, gather evidence, develop feasible alternatives, compare consequences, choose and implement, then measure results and learn.

What are transformed resources?

Transformed resources are the materials, information, or customers that the process changes.

What are transforming resources?

Transforming resources are the people, facilities, equipment, and technology that perform or support the work.

What does the operations objective of speed mean?

Speed means completing work or responding quickly. Order-to-delivery time and waiting time are possible measures.

What does the operations objective of dependability mean?

Dependability means delivering as promised, consistently and on time. On-time delivery and appointment adherence can measure it.

What does the operations objective of flexibility mean?

Flexibility means adjusting output, volume, mix, or timing when needs change.