Methods of Production

Job - one off items

Advantages:

• Cheap and easy

• Tailored

• Higher quality

• Better motivated employees

• Flexible

Disadvantages:

• Individual cost of one unit is high

• Often labour intensive so costs for labour are expensive

• Mistakes are costly

• Time consuming

• Usually reliant on specialist skills

Batch - items produced in groups

Advantages:

• Can buy in bulk

• Allows customers some choice due to variations in different batches

Disadvantages:

• Time consuming to switch from one batch to another

• Requires maintaining higher stocks

• Tasks may become repetitive - demotivation

• Size of batch dependent on capacity allocated - could lead to waste

Flow

Advantages:

• Unit costs low

• Quick and cheap

• Good for large quantities

• Capital intensive

• Produces identical items

• Less need for training and skill

Disadvantages:

• Long set up time

• Reliant on machinery

• No customisation

Cell - production line is split into different flows that make one unit of output

Advantages:

• Increases quality, teamwork and motivation

Disadvantages:

• Training and skills needed