Production Management: Process, Quality, Technology

Production Process Fundamentals

The production process involves transforming raw materials into finished products. This typically requires raw materials, labor, and working capital.

Types of Production Processes

Types of production processes include:

• Commissioned by the market
• In series
• Individual
• Manual
• Mechanized
• Automated

Effective Production Management

Production Management involves:

• Setting clear goals
• Developing strategic plans
• Defining a robust production management system
• Scheduling and controlling each project

Key Objectives of Production Direction

The primary objectives of production direction are:

• Productivity
• Quality
• Reliability
• Adaptability
• Environmental responsibility

Defining Product Quality

Product quality is the set of characteristics defining its adequacy for the purpose to which it will be allocated.

Stages of a Quality Management System

Key stages of a quality management system include:

• Establishing factors that determine quality standards
• Defining the desired quality levels to achieve
• Measuring systems that define quality
• Identifying and correcting the causes of low quality

ISO 9000 Certification Explained

ISO 9000 certification signifies that a company is capable of ensuring the same quality in the future as it demonstrated at the time of certification.

Business Process Reengineering

Process reengineering involves a fundamental review and radical redesign of processes to achieve significant improvements in performance measures.

Understanding Technology in Production

Technology refers to the set of procedures that can be used to produce a good or service.

Modes of Technology Acquisition

Modes of technology acquisition include:

• Research: Focuses on increasing knowledge.
• Development: Aims at improving materials or processes.
• Innovation: Involves the manufacture of new products.

Technological Change Defined

Technological change encompasses the invention of new products, or the changing and improving of existing production processes.

Production Planning Levels

Production planning operates at various levels:

• Strategic Plan for the Company: Defines the overall direction and 'as will' approach.
• Master Production Plan: Focuses on manufacturing processes.
• Production Schedule: Details specific tasks.

MRP System: Material Requirements Planning

The objective of an MRP (Material Requirements Planning) system is to plan and assess the material needs within the production process.

Just-In-Time (JIT) System

The Just-In-Time (JIT) system dictates that production occurs only when there is demand.

Implications of JIT:

• Increased agility
• Reduced manufacturing periods
• Lower costs
• Improved training
• Enhanced integration with suppliers

Critical Path Analysis

The Critical Path represents the longest duration between the initial and end nodes in a project network.

Early Time Calculation

Early time is the minimum time it takes to reach a given situation or node.

Last Time Calculation

Last time is the maximum time available to arrive at a node.

Regulatory Frameworks

Hard Laws refer to integrated laws, decrees, and regulations with mandatory application.

Soft Laws and Voluntary Standards

Soft Laws refer to rules applied voluntarily.

ISO 14001 Environmental Management

ISO 14001 focuses on:

• Meeting the existing legislative framework
• Environmental protection
• Pollution prevention
• Supporting sustainable development

Recycling and Waste Management

Objectives of recycling and waste treatment include:

• Minimizing or avoiding waste generation
• Recycling all usable waste
• Promoting waste reuse through selection