Operations Management & Process Improvement Flashcards

What is the primary goal of lean manufacturing?

Answer: Eliminate waste while delivering value to the customer

Lean manufacturing focuses on eliminating all forms of waste (muda) throughout the production process to maximize customer value.

In Six Sigma, what does DMAIC stand for?

Answer: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control

DMAIC is the core Six Sigma problem-solving methodology: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

What is a Kanban system primarily used for?

Answer: Controlling inventory and production flow through visual signals

Kanban uses visual signals (cards or bins) to trigger production or replenishment only when needed, controlling inventory levels and workflow.

Which metric measures the ratio of value-added time to total lead time in a process?

Answer: Process cycle efficiency (PCE)

Process Cycle Efficiency (PCE) = Value-Added Time / Total Lead Time, indicating how much of the lead time actually adds value.

What is Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) used to measure?

Answer: The productive performance of manufacturing equipment

OEE combines Availability, Performance, and Quality rates to measure how effectively manufacturing equipment is utilized.

Which of the following best describes a 'bottleneck' in a production process?

Answer: A resource whose capacity limits the overall throughput of the system

A bottleneck is the process step with the least capacity, which constrains the entire system's output according to the Theory of Constraints.

What is the primary purpose of a Value Stream Map (VSM)?

Answer: To visualize the flow of materials and information to identify waste

A Value Stream Map illustrates all steps—value-added and non-value-added—in a product's journey, making waste visible so it can be eliminated.