Operations Management: An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition

SCHEDULING OPERATIONS

A company's overall strategy provides the framework for making decisions in many operational areas. Companies differentiate themselves based on product volume and product variety. This differentiation affects how the company organizes its operations. A company providing a high-volume, standardized, consistent-quality, lower-margin product or service such as a commercial bakery or a fast-food restaurant focuses on product and layout. This type of operation needs dedicated equipment, less-skilled employees, and a continuous or repetitive process flow. Companies providing low-volume, customized, higher-margin products or services, such as a custom furniture maker or an upscale restaurant, focus on process. They need general-purpose equipment, more highly skilled employees, and flexible process flows. Each kind of operation needs a different scheduling technique. Let's look at high-volume operations first.