Chapter 10 End Page

Recap

This chapter examined how manufacturers and service firms manage and control the creation of products and services. It discussed production planning, including the choices firms must make concerning the type of production process they will use; the location where production will occur; the design of the facility; and the management of resources needed in production.  Routing and scheduling was explained, two critical tasks for controlling production and operations efficiency. Then we looked at how firms can improve production and operations by employing quality management and lean-manufacturing techniques. Finally, we reviewed some of the trends affecting production and operations management.

Resources

1. See how American Leather brings it all together to create beautiful customized couches at https://www.americanleather.com.
2. What characteristics contribute to a city’s manufacturing climate? Find out by reading more at Industry Week’s website: http://www.industryweek.com.
3. How do companies decide whether to make or buy? Find out more at the Outsourcing Institute, a professional association where buyers and sellers network and connect: http://www.outsourcing.com.
4. Learn how to build your own Gantt chart at https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_03.htm.
5. What does it take to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award? Get the details at https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/baldrige-award.
6. Want to know more about how robots work? Find out at https://science.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm.

Looking Ahead

Next week we will cover Creating Products and Pricing Strategies to Meet Customers' Needs.