Questions from General Operations Management

Q: • Examine the value-added versus non-value-added

• Examine the value-added versus non-value-added times for some other services. For example: (a). Handing-in an assignment in for marking if you are currently studying for a qualification. (What is th...

Q: Go back to Chapter 10 and re-read the description of

Go back to Chapter 10 and re-read the description of the Theory of Constraints (ToC). Now consider the similarities and differences between ToC and lean synchronisation in terms of their overall objec...

Q: Everything we do can be broken down into a process’ said Lucile

Everything we do can be broken down into a process’ said Lucile, COO of an outsourcing business for the ‘back office’ functions of a range of companies. ‘It maybe more straightforward in a manufacturi...

Q: McPherson Charles, based in Bristol in the West of England,

McPherson Charles, based in Bristol in the West of England, has grown rapidly to be one of the biggest law firms in the region. Comprising 21 partners and a total of 400 staff it is an ambitious partn...

Q: Develop cause–effect diagrams for the following types of problem:

Develop cause–effect diagrams for the following types of problem: (a). Staff waiting too long for their calls to be answered at their IT helpdesk. (b). Poor food in the company restaurant. (c). Poor l...

Q: For over 10 years a hotel group, had been developing self

For over 10 years a hotel group, had been developing self-managed improvement groups within its hotels. At one hotel reception desk, staff became concerned about the amount of time the reception desk...

Q: A transport services company provides a whole range of services to railway

A transport services company provides a whole range of services to railway operators. Its reputation for quality was a valuable asset in its increasingly competitive market. ‘We are continually lookin...

Q: Step 1(a). – As a group, identify a

Step 1(a). – As a group, identify a ‘high visibility’ operation that you all are familiar with. This could be a type of quick service restaurant, record stores, public transport systems, libraries, et...

Q: Human error is a significant source of quality problems. Think through

Human error is a significant source of quality problems. Think through the times that (with hindsight) you have made an error and answer the following questions. (a). How do you think that human error...

Q: The owner of a small wedding photography business realises that the market

The owner of a small wedding photography business realises that the market is changing. ‘I used to take a few photos during the wedding ceremony and then formal group shots outside. It rarely took mor...