This document discusses three main methods of production: job production, batch production, and flow production. Job production involves making single, unique products in small quantities like wedding dresses. Batch production produces batches of similar but varied products, like mountain bikes or baked goods. Flow production mass produces standardized products using conveyor belts, like mobile phones. The choice of production method depends on factors like demand scale, customer needs, product nature, cost structure, and company goals.

1. Operations Management
Methods of Production
Introduction

2. Job Production
• Single Unit
• Made to order
• Unique/One-off
• e.g. Wedding dress,
One-off construction
projects

3. Batch production
• Each stage of the
production process
has an operation
completed on it
before moving on to
the next stage
• Each Batch varies
• e.g. A mountain bike,
Bread & Cakes

4. Flow Production
• Mass output of a
standardised product
• Highly capital-intensive,
often using a conveyor
belt system (flow)
• e.g. A mobile phone

5. Choice Depends on…
1. Scale of demand – small or large quantities
2. Customer needs – does customer require
unique product or cheap standardised product
3. The nature of the product – this will
determine the choice of production
4. Relative costs of labour and capital – is it
capital or labour intensive?
5. Company goals – maximum profit?
Commitment to personal service?

6. Choice Depends on…
1. Scale of demand – small or large quantities
2. Customer needs – does customer require
unique product or cheap standardised product
3. The nature of the product – this will
determine the choice of production
4. Relative costs of labour and capital – is it
capital or labour intensive?
5. Company goals – maximum profit?
Commitment to personal service?