Master Scheduling and Capacity Planning: Enhance Operations Management

Question 1

What is the main goal of capacity planning in operations management?

Accepted Answer

Minimize production costs while meeting customer demand

Answer

Maximize production output regardless of costs

Answer

Decrease the need for inventory

Question 2

Enhanced: Explain the distinction between lead time and cycle time.

Accepted Answer

Clarified: Lead time encompasses the total duration required to complete a task, while cycle time measures the time taken for a single unit to progress through a process

Answer

Corrected: Cycle time refers to the total duration required to complete a task, while lead time measures the time taken for a single unit to progress through a process

Answer

Removed Ambiguity: Lead time and cycle time are interchangeable terms

Answer

Simplified: Cycle time is always shorter than lead time

Question 3

Enhanced: What is the primary purpose of maintaining a safety stock inventory?

Accepted Answer

Clear: To buffer against unexpected fluctuations in demand, preventing stockouts

Answer

Simplified: To reduce the risk of stockouts, ensuring customer satisfaction

Answer

Corrected: To increase customer satisfaction, leading to higher sales and profits

Answer

Removed Bias: To maximize profits by optimizing inventory levels

Question 4

Enhanced: What is the fundamental difference between a push and a pull production system?

Accepted Answer

Clarified: Push systems produce to forecast, while pull systems produce based on actual demand, reducing waste

Answer

Corrected: Pull systems produce to forecast, while push systems produce based on actual demand

Answer

Removed Bias: Push systems are more efficient than pull systems, minimizing production time

Answer

Simplified: Pull systems are always more expensive than push systems, requiring additional resources

Question 5

Which scheduling technique is most appropriate for high-volume, repetitive production?

Accepted Answer

Flow shop scheduling

Answer

Job shop scheduling

Answer

Project scheduling

Answer

Gantt scheduling

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of aggregate planning?

Accepted Answer

To establish a production plan for the next 6-12 months based on demand forecasts

Answer

To allocate resources to specific tasks within a project

Answer

To schedule production for the next day or week

Answer

To develop long-term capacity plans

Question 7

What is a primary benefit of using a Gantt chart for scheduling?

Accepted Answer

It provides a visual representation of the project timeline

Answer

It facilitates resource allocation

Answer

It helps to identify potential bottlenecks

Answer

It simplifies the calculation of lead times

Question 8

Which of the following is a key consideration in capacity planning for service operations?

Accepted Answer

Customer arrival patterns and service times

Answer

Equipment availability

Answer

Material requirements

Answer

Labor productivity

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of using queuing theory in operations management?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing the performance of waiting lines and service systems to improve efficiency

Answer

Determining the optimal number of servers

Answer

Scheduling production

Answer

Allocating resources

Question 10

What is the term for the difference between the actual demand and the forecast demand?

Accepted Answer

Forecast error

Answer

Demand variability

Answer

Capacity gap

Answer

Scheduling variance

Question 11

Which technique is used to achieve a more consistent production rate?

Accepted Answer

Level scheduling

Answer

Chase demand

Answer

Backordering

Answer

Expediting

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a scheduling technique used in operations management?

Accepted Answer

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing

Answer

Gantt charts

Answer

Critical path method (CPM)

Answer

Simulation

Question 13

Which of the following is **not** considered in capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

Managing customer expectations

Answer

Forecasting demand

Answer

Determining production capabilities

Answer

Matching supply and demand

Question 14

A Gantt chart is used to visualize:

Accepted Answer

Task dependencies and timelines

Answer

Resource allocation

Answer

Cost estimates

Answer

Demand forecasts

Question 15

The primary objective of aggregate planning is to:

Accepted Answer

Determine optimal production and inventory levels

Answer

Create detailed production schedules

Answer

Manage supply chains

Answer

Forecast future demand

Question 16

In capacity planning, a bottleneck:

Accepted Answer

Restricts the output of the entire production system

Answer

Identifies areas for improvement

Answer

Determines inventory levels

Answer

Forecasts demand

Question 17

When considering safety stock levels, which factor is **not** relevant?

Accepted Answer

Production capacity

Answer

Lead time

Answer

Demand variability

Answer

Customer service goals

Question 18

In scheduling, what purpose does a Gantt chart serve?

Accepted Answer

Visualizing the sequence and duration of activities

Answer

Calculating a project's critical path

Answer

Assigning resources to tasks

Answer

Forecasting demand

Question 19

In production planning, what is meant by a bottleneck?

Accepted Answer

A resource or process that constrains a production system's overall capacity

Answer

A temporary pause in production due to an issue

Answer

A machine used more frequently than others in a production line

Answer

A stage in production where unit costs are significantly higher than in other stages

Question 20

In production scheduling, a bottleneck refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A production stage with limited capacity compared to its preceding and succeeding stages

Answer

A production stage with high demand and high capacity

Answer

A production stage with balanced capacity and low demand

Question 21

Which scheduling tool visualizes production schedules using a grid?

Accepted Answer

Gantt chart

Answer

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) diagram

Answer

Critical Path Method (CPM) diagram

Answer

Linear programming model

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of effective capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

Potentially higher production costs due to overcapacity

Answer

Improved customer satisfaction through timely delivery

Answer

Reduced inventory holding costs by optimizing production levels

Answer

Increased agility to respond to changing market demands

Question 23

What metric measures the percentage of time a resource is actively used?

Accepted Answer

Utilization rate

Answer

Throughput

Answer

Lead time

Answer

Throughput time

Question 24

What type of manufacturing system allows for quick and flexible production scheduling?

Accepted Answer

Flexible manufacturing system

Answer

Just-in-time system

Answer

Lean manufacturing system

Answer

Mass customization system

Question 25

What technique involves breaking down a complex production process into smaller, manageable tasks?

Accepted Answer

Work breakdown structure

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Activity-based costing

Answer

Time study

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of capacity planning in operations management?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining optimal customer service levels

Answer

Measuring and forecasting demand

Answer

Determining the production rate

Answer

Balancing workforce and workload

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of a master production schedule (MPS)?

Accepted Answer

To establish the production quantities and timing for each finished product

Answer

To assign resources to specific tasks

Answer

To determine the workforce requirements

Answer

To plan inventory levels

Question 28

What is the primary goal of capacity smoothing?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a consistent level of output

Answer

Reducing production costs

Answer

Improving product quality

Answer

Optimizing inventory levels

Question 29

What is the purpose of safety stock in capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

To mitigate unexpected fluctuations in demand

Answer

To lower production costs

Answer

To increase inventory turnover

Answer

Safety stock is not used in capacity planning

Question 30

Which type of scheduling method is best suited for high-volume, repetitive production environments?

Accepted Answer

Flow Shop Scheduling

Answer

Job Shop Scheduling

Answer

Project Scheduling

Answer

Line of Balance

Question 31

When using historical data to forecast demand, what limitation must be considered?

Accepted Answer

Historical data may not reflect shifts in market trends.

Answer

Historical data is always a dependable predictor of future demand.

Answer

Demand forecasting should rely solely on historical data.

Question 32

Which scheduling technique is most suitable for production systems with high volume and low product variety?

Accepted Answer

Flow shop scheduling

Answer

Hybrid scheduling

Answer

Cellular manufacturing

Answer

Job shop scheduling

Question 33

The metric used to measure the percentage of time that a resource is actively engaged in production is known as:

Accepted Answer

Capacity utilization

Answer

Throughput time

Answer

Lead time

Answer

Work-in-progress

Question 34

The strategy used to distribute demand more evenly over time, thereby reducing capacity constraints, is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Demand leveling

Answer

Rough-cut capacity planning

Answer

Master scheduling

Answer

Aggregate planning

Question 35

The visual representation of a project schedule, depicting the sequence and dependencies of tasks, is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Gantt chart

Answer

CPM chart

Answer

PERT chart

Answer

Work breakdown structure

Question 36

The process of assigning specific resources to specific tasks in a project is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Resource assignment

Answer

Capacity planning

Answer

Scheduling

Answer

Dispatching

Question 37

The primary objective of scheduling is to:

Accepted Answer

Allocate resources and establish the sequence of operations.

Answer

Forecast demand accurately

Answer

Manage inventory levels effectively

Question 38

Which scheduling technique is best suited for low-volume, high-variety production environments?

Accepted Answer

Job scheduling

Answer

Project scheduling

Answer

Line scheduling

Question 39

The main advantage of utilizing a Gantt chart for scheduling is:

Accepted Answer

Its visual representation of the schedule

Answer

Its ability to calculate project costs

Answer

Its complexity and in-depth detail

Question 40

The critical path in project management refers to:

Accepted Answer

The longest sequence of tasks that must be completed on time to avoid project delays

Answer

The shortest sequence of tasks that can be completed early

Answer

The path with the most resources allocated to it

Question 41

Ineffective capacity planning can lead to:

Accepted Answer

Lost sales and customer dissatisfaction

Answer

Reduced operating costs

Answer

Improved employee morale

Question 42

Technology's role in modern capacity planning involves:

Accepted Answer

Real-time monitoring, data analysis, and optimization of production processes

Answer

Eliminating the need for human expertise in scheduling

Answer

Only being applicable to large-scale manufacturing operations

Question 43

Which scheduling technique is best suited for projects with uncertain task durations and dependencies?

Accepted Answer

Critical Path Method (CPM)

Answer

Gantt Chart

Answer

First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)

Answer

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

Question 44

A production plant has a rated capacity of 2,000 units per day. If the plant operates at 80% efficiency, what is its effective capacity?

Accepted Answer

1,600 units per day

Answer

2,400 units per day

Answer

1,200 units per day

Question 45

What is the main purpose of a master production schedule (MPS)?

Accepted Answer

To determine the quantity and timing of production for each end product.

Answer

To forecast demand for raw materials and finished goods.

Answer

To schedule individual work orders for each production step.

Question 46

Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective scheduling system?

Accepted Answer

Clarity

Answer

Rigidity

Answer

Complexity

Answer

Inaccuracy

Question 47

The use of a finite loading technique in scheduling is most appropriate for:

Accepted Answer

Resources with limited capacity.

Answer

Tasks with uncertain durations.

Answer

Activities with high priority.

Answer

Projects with a large number of tasks.

Question 48

What is the primary goal of capacity management?

Accepted Answer

To ensure sufficient capacity to meet customer demand while minimizing waste.

Answer

To minimize production costs without regard to customer demand.

Answer

To maximize production output without regard to cost.

Question 49

Which of the following is a common constraint in capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

Equipment availability

Answer

Employee morale

Answer

Customer satisfaction

Answer

Product quality

Question 50

A company is using a just-in-time (JIT) inventory system. How does this impact their capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

It requires more accurate demand forecasting and precise capacity planning.

Answer

It reduces the need for capacity planning.

Answer

It allows for greater flexibility in capacity adjustments.

Question 51

What is a key benefit of using simulation models for capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

They allow for testing of different scenarios without disrupting actual operations.

Answer

They provide real-time data on capacity utilization.

Answer

They are a cost-effective way to track capacity changes.