MGT 3789 Operations Management — Review Questions (Chapter 16)

Which of the following is generally found in most Lean environments?

• a push or pull system, depending upon the rate of demand

• a push system for high margin items and a pull system for low margin items

• a push system for purchased parts and a pull system for manufactured parts

• push systems

• pull systems

Which of the following is NOT true about pull systems?

• They are a standard tool of Lean.

• They use signals to request production and delivery from upstream supplying stations.

• They often use small lot sizes.

• They move material to the next downstream workstation as soon as it is finished being processed.

• They are used both within the immediate production process and with suppliers.

The 5Ss:

• have the "flavor" of a housekeeping list.

• are a checklist for lean operations.

• have become a list of seven items in American practice.

• can be used to assist with necessary changes in organizational culture.

• All of these are true.

The list of 5Ss, although it looks like a housekeeping directive, supports lean production by:

• identifying non-value items and removing them, in the "sort/segregate" category.

• reducing inventory, in the "standardize" category.

• increasing variability through standardized procedures, in the "standardize" category.

• eliminating wasted motion through ergonomic studies, in the "support" category.

• building good safety practices, in the "shine/sweep" category.

Which one of the following is NOT a benefit of JIT implementation?

• cost reduction

• variability increase

• rapid throughput

• quality improvement

• rework reduction

Which one of the following is a characteristic of a JIT partnership?

• third-party logistics never used

• maximal product specifications imposed on supplier

• active pursuit of vertical integration

• removal of incoming inspection

• frequent deliveries in large lot quantities

With regard to suppliers, lean systems typically involve:

• delivery of large lots on short notice

• the highest quality at the lowest price

• long-term relationships

• multiple suppliers to assure continuous availability

• dedicated staging areas for material

Which one of the following statements is TRUE about the kanban system?

• The quantities in the containers are usually large to reduce setup costs.

• It is associated with a push system.

• It is useful to smooth operations when numerous quality problems occur.

• The supplier workstation signals the customer workstation as soon as a batch is completed.

• The customer workstation signals to the supplier workstation when production is needed.

Lean operations are known for their:

• employee development.

• supplier education.

• supplier partnerships.

• challenging jobs.

• All of these are attributes of lean operations.