Methods of production

Methods of production

1. Job...

   • Producing a one-off product for a customer (AO1)
   • + USP so can charge more (AO3)
   • + Skilled workers - good quality (AO3)
   • + Motivated workers - variety of skills (AO3)
   • - Skilled staff - high wages (AO3)
   • - High research/development costs (AO3)
   • - Can't bulk buy (AO3)
   • + Wedding dresses/Wedding Cakes (AO2)
   • Depends upon...
     • - Finances available (AO4)
     • - Size of the business (AO4)

2. Batch...

   • Product made stage by stage in different batches (AO1)
   • + Warburtons bread (AO2)
   • - Small batches may cost more (AO3)
   • - Demotivated staff - repetition (AO3)
   • - Wasted materials (AO3)
   • + Bulk buy raw materials (AO3)
   • + Less labour costs (AO3)
   • + Reduced need for skilled staff (AO3)
   • Depends upon...
     • - Finances available (AO4)
     • - Size of the business (AO4)

3. Flow...

   • Process broken down into small, simple tasks done by robots/people (AO1)
   • + Coca-Cola/Chocolate boxes (AO2)
   • - No USP can be offered (AO3)
   • - Demotivated staff - repetition (AO3)
   • - Equipment may be inflexible (AO3)
   • + Can bulk buy (AO3)
   • + Good relationship with suppliers (AO3)
   • + High quantities produced (AO3)
   • Depends upon...
     • - Size of the market (AO4)
     • - Technology available (AO4)

4. Cell...

   • Employees work in teams responsible for the production of a product/part (AO1)
   • + Making a piano/Jaguar Land rover (AO2)
   • - Work may be inefficient (AO3)
   • - Conflict in the team (AO3)
   • - Increased labour costs (AO3)
   • + Improved communication (AO3)
   • + Greater motivation - Mayo (AO3)
   • + Workers gain new skills (AO3)
   • Depends upon...
     • - Product being made (AO4)
     • - relationships within the team (AO4)