Summer 2015

Masters of Business Administration

MBA Semester 2
MB0044 Production & Operations

Management

Assignments

Q.1 Explain the elements or components of operations strategy.

Answer:
List the six elements of operations strategy:
The six elements of operations strategy are:
1) Designing of the production system
2) Facilities for production and services
3) Product or service design and development
4) Technology selection, development, and process development
5) Allocation of resources
6) Focus on facilities planning
Describe the six elements of operations strategy:

Designing of the production system: The designing of the production system involves
the selection of the type of product design, processing system, inventory plan for finished
goods, etc. The product design has two varieties. They are:

Customized product design

Standard product design
Facilities for production and services: Certain specialization in production allows the
firm to provide the customers with products of lower cost, faster delivery, on-time
delivery, high product quality, and flexibility.

Product or service design and development: The stages followed in developing a

product are:
Generating the idea
Creating the feasibility reports
Designing the prototype and testing
Preparing a production model
Evaluating the economies of scale for production

Technology selection and process development: A product selected for production will
be analyzed for the process and the applicable technology for optimal production.

Allocation of resources: The production units face continuous problems of allocating the
scarce resources like capital, machines, equipments, materials, manpower, services, etc.
Allocation at the right time to the right place of production indicates the efficiency of the
production planners.

Facility, capacity, and layout planning: The location, layout, and facilities creation for
the production are the key decision areas for the operations manager. These are critical
for achieving the competitiveness.

Q.2 Answer the following questions:

a. What is location decision sequence?
b. Which general factors influence the plant location decision?
Answer:
a. Give the brief explanation of location decision sequence:
Location decisions start from the national level, and move to the site level after moving through
regional level and the community level. This means that, first the country of choice is to be
selected, followed by regional choices and finally community levels have to be selected.

b. List the eight general factors influence the plant location decision:
2

Briefly explain each factor that influences the plant location decision:
The general factors that influence the plant location are listed as follows:

Availability of land Availability of land plays an important role in determining the plant
location. On several occasions, our plans, calculations and forecasts suggest a particular area
as the best to start an organization.

Availability of inputs While choosing a plant location, it is very important for the
organization to get the labor at the right time and good quality raw materials. The plant
should be located:
Near to the raw material source
At the market place
Close to the market when universally available, so as to minimize the transportation cost

Closeness to market places Organizations can choose to locate the plant near to the
customers market or far from them, depending upon the product they produce. It is advisable
to locate the plant near to the market place, when:
3

 The projected life of the product is low

The transportation cost is high

Communication facilities Communication facility is also an important factor which

influences the location of a plant. Regions with good communication facilities namely postal
and telecommunication links should be given priority for the selection of sites.

Infrastructure Infrastructure plays a prominent role in deciding the location. The basic
infrastructure needed in any organization are:
Power For example, industries which run day and night require continuous power
supply. So, they should be located near the power stations and should ensure continuous
power supply throughout the year.
Water For example, process industries such as, paper, chemical, and cement, require
continuous water supply in large amount. So, such process industries need to be located
near the source of water supply.

Transport Transport facility is a must for facility location and layout of location of the
plant. Timely supply of raw materials to the company and supply of finished goods to the
customers is an important factor.

Government support The factors that demand additional attention for plant location are
the policies of the state governments and local bodies concerning labor laws, building codes,
and safety.

Housing and recreation Housing and recreation factors also influence the plant location.
Locating a plant with or near to the facilities of good schools, housing and recreation for
employees will have a greater impact on the organization.

Q.3 Write short notes on:

Pareto analysis
4

Acceptance sampling
Jurans quality trilogy
Taguchis quality loss function

Q.4 Answer the following questions:

a. Define project management.
b. What are the major characteristics of a project mindset?
c. What are the advantages of Gantt chart?

Q.5 Answer the following questions:

a. What are the steps involved in developing an aggregate plan?
b. Explain the various types of pure strategies used in aggregate planning.

Q.6 Answer the following questions:

a. Explain the classification of scheduling strategies.
b. List the distinctive differences between the scheduling followed for manufacturing
and services

Remaining Answers are available in Paid Assignments..

Contact us for complete assignments..
CALL OUR TEAM: 09999176681
E-MAIL: mysmuassignment@gmail.com
Website: www.smusupport.com
5

ALL OF OUR ASSIGNMENTS ARE IN WORD FORMAT, WUTHOUT WATERMARK AND

AS PER NEW GUIDELINES OF SMU