Production Methods
How a business makes its products shapes its costs and quality. Learn the two methods of production, job and flow, when each one suits a business, and how lean production and just in time keep a business efficient.
Use it, the way the marks are given
Free interactive practice at using the material, which is what the marks are for.
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How is it made?
A business has to decide HOW to make its products, and the choice affects its costs, quality and speed. This module covers the two methods of production, job and flow, and two ways to work more efficiently, lean production and just in time.
Job, flow, lean
Four terms run through this topic. Learn them first.
Job or flow?
The two methods suit very different kinds of product.
Match the term
- Job production
- Flow production
- Lean production
- Just in time
- Making a single, one-off item to order
- Making many identical items on a line
- Cutting out all kinds of waste
- Stock arrives exactly as it is needed
Which method?
A tailor makes a one-off suit to the exact measurements of a single customer. Which method of production is this?
- Job production
- Flow production
- Lean production
- Just in time
Justify, do not just describe
In the exam you gain the most marks by JUSTIFYING which method suits the particular business, using its product and its scale. A one-off, high-value product points to job production. A high-volume, standard product points to flow production. Do not simply describe both methods.
Match the example
- Job production
- Flow production
- Lean production
- Just in time
- A one-off wedding cake made to order
- Thousands of identical drinks bottled on a line
- A workshop that removes every source of waste
- Car parts delivered exactly when they are needed
Flow production features
Which TWO of these are features of flow production? Choose all that apply.
- A low cost per unit
- A high volume of identical items
- One-off, bespoke items
- Highly flexible for custom orders
How just in time works
Put the steps of just in time in order.
- The business receives a customer order
- It orders only the stock it needs
- The stock arrives just as it is needed
- The product is made with little waste
Name the production method
Making a single, one-off item to order is _____ production. Making many identical items on a continuous line is _____ production. Cutting out all kinds of waste is _____ production. When stock arrives exactly as it is needed, this is _____ in time. Job production usually has a _____ cost per unit than flow production.
Spot job production
Tap the TWO statements that describe job production.
- It makes one-off, bespoke items to order.
- It uses skilled workers and is very flexible.
- It makes thousands of identical items on a line.
- It has a very low cost per unit.
Which method?
A factory makes thousands of identical tins of beans every day. Which method of production is this?
- Flow production
- Job production
- Lean production
- Just in time
Recommend a method
For each business, choose the best approach.
- A company builds custom luxury yachts, each one different for its owner. Which method?
- A company produces millions of identical chocolate bars. Which method?
- A factory wants to hold very little stock and have parts delivered as needed. Which approach?
Recommend and justify
A new business will make small numbers of hand-decorated cakes to order. Recommend a production method and justify your choice.
- Name the production method you recommend
- Give two reasons it suits this business
- Explain why the other method would not suit it