Frede Lee E.

Flores
Production and Operations Management
Mondays & Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

1. Why does the domain of production and operations management include to some
extent all organizations?

Answer:

The reason behind is that production and operations management is connected

or interdependent to other serviceable or functional areas of business such as
human resource, operations, technology & equipment, finance, marketing, and
many more.

2. How does the production and operation management generally fit in with each
other functional activities in organizations and why should you study them?

Answer:

Every successful organization has a line function as well as a support function

that must be efficient. But the production comes under the line function category
which has a direct impact on the customers. Hence it dictates customer
experience. Customer experience is critical for the survival of any organization.
Therefore line function to a large extent determines the future of the company in
question.
Production management is relevant to the firm’s success in many ways. Used
efficiently, it can lead to numerous accomplishments which will take the business
to a great height.
The role of Production Management is quite elaborate. But the sole aim is to
ensure the business produces quality products that can satisfy the needs of
customers on a regular basis. Below are the functions of production management.
  Production Control – Here the manager supervises and directs the production
process. He or she also must find out and ensure the right production plan
is followed during the production process. If there are deviations, the
production manager has to take the right steps to correct them.
 Scheduling – This function is critical in every organization. It has to do with
planning when the actual production would begin and ends.
 Cost and Quality Control – Every company knows how essential quality
control and price are. Customers are not just looking for the best products.
But they also want to have them at the lowest possible price. Quality control
is an essential duty the production manager has to perform. It entails
multiple checks performed on the product to ensure quality is intact.
 Maintenance of Machines – Production management also entails making sure
that instruments used are in good working condition. And that means
replacing the ones that are underperforming or changing damaged parts to
enable the machine to function optimally.

3. Pick a specific organization and identify its inputs, processes and outputs.

Answer:

LBC Express (Courier Company)

i. Input - Package pickup, dimensional and multi-dimensional scanner,

destination locator, volume and weight calculation, conveyor belt, etc.

ii. Process - collection of packages, scanning of barcodes, sorting on belt,

manual segregation, and transportation to the destination point, etc.

iii. Output - Delivery of packages to desired destination, customer

satisfaction.

4. What kind of social pressures are POM managers facing these days and what
impact do they have on the way they do their job?

Answer:
 Information overload

Managers now have access to extensive databases filled with information

that can greatly enhance their decision-making, but the amount of data they’re
presented with on a daily basis can be overwhelming. The strongest leaders
know how to extract the most valuable information and transform it into
strategic guidance — and how to bring in highly skilled business analysts who
can help them do so.

 Change — and more change

Once, in the not-so-distant past, firms understood at least the basics of

their competitors’ business models, because most companies operated in a
similar way. Today, however, firms are introducing new business models all the
time. What’s more, technology seems to be changing every minute.
That’s why it’s crucial for managers to stay on top of industry trends and
remain open and adaptable to change. Successful leaders regularly read the top
industry blogs, subscribe to newsletters, follow industry leaders on Twitter, and
join relevant groups on LinkedIn. Keeping up to date with technology trends can
require training; it’s a good idea for executives to take external courses and
participate in in-house professional development programs.
Simply put, it’s clear that today’s business environment is constantly
evolving, and executives face new pressures every day. To help their firms
remain competitive, managers need to invest time and effort into improving and
refining their leadership skills.

 The need for wider-ranging knowledge

Not too long ago, many company executives operated in silos: They were
the experts in their division, but they didn’t often get involved in the work of
other departments. Today, however, leaders must take a broader organizational
view. For example, many CFOs have seen their responsibilities extend beyond
finance into human resources, information technology, and operations.
Fostering strong relationships with coworkers outside your department
can be invaluable when it comes to learning about other areas of the firm;
successful leaders make sure they participate in interdepartmental committees
and projects. Holding high-level management positions in professional
organizations can also help executives get a broader perspective of typical
organizational structures and procedures.
 The demand for skilled talent

Because in-demand professionals have more opportunities today, it’s

harder to recruit and retain top performers. In addition, managers frequently
must oversee staff in several locations, which makes it even more challenging to
motivate employees.

This is where successful leaders tap into their strong communication

skills, clearly explaining to each employee his or her career path and role in the
company’s mission, then supporting employees as they build their leadership
skills and prepare for greater responsibilities. Savvy leaders also seek feedback
on their communication style from mentors, fellow managers, and even staff,
and follow through on the best suggestions.