SCM Final: Chapter 13 (Aggregate Planning & S&O Planning)
Which of the following is NOT an input to S&OP? A) capacity decisions B) supply-chain support C) workforce D) inventory on hand E) master production schedule
E
Because service firms do not inventory their output, a pure chase strategy is not appropriate. T/F?
False
The objective of aggregate planning is usually to meet forecast demand while smoothing employment and driving down inventory levels over the planning period. T/F?
False
What is the typical planning horizon for aggregate planning?
Intermediate --> 3-18 months ahead
In aggregate planning, the amount of overtime and the size of the work force are both adjustable elements of capacity. T/F?
True
Mixed strategies in aggregate planning may utilize inventory, work force, and production rate changes over the planning horizon. T/F?
True
One question that operations managers must answer when generating an aggregate plan is whether prices or other factors should be changed to influence demand. T/F?
True
The strategies of aggregate planning are broadly divided into demand options and capacity options. T/F?
True
The objective of aggregate planning is to meet forecast demand while ________ over the planning period. A) minimizing cost B) maximizing service level C) minimizing stock out D) minimizing fixed cost E) all of the above
A
What directly results from disaggregation of an aggregate plan? A) a master production schedule B) priority scheduling C) a transportation matrix D) a capacity-demand matrix E) detailed work schedules
A
________ is an approach to determine the quantity and timing of production for the intermediate future.
Aggregate Planning
A manager is applying the transportation model of linear programming to solve an aggregate planning problem. Demand in period 1 is 100 units, and in period 2, demand is 150 units. The manager has 125 hours of regular employment available for $10/hour each period. In addition, 50 hours of overtime are available for $15/hour each period. If holding costs are $2 per unit each period, how many hours of regular employment should be used in period 1? (Assume demand must be met in both periods 1 and 2 for the lowest possible cost and that production is 1 unit per hour.) A) 100 B) 125 C) 150 D) 50 E) none of the above
B
A firm practices a pure chase strategy. Production last quarter was 1000. Demand over the next four quarters is estimated to be 900, 700, 1000, and 1000. Hiring cost is $20 per unit, and layoff cost is $5 per unit. Over the next year, what will be the sum of hiring and layoff costs? A) $500 B) $2,500 C) $7,500 D) $7,000 E) $12,500
C
A firm uses graphical techniques in its aggregate planning efforts. Over the next twelve months (its intermediate period), it estimates the sum of demands to be 105,000 units. The firm has 250 production days per year. In January, which has 22 production days, demand is estimated to be 11,000 units. A graph of demand versus level production will show that: A) the January requirement is below level production of 420 units. B) level production is approximately 1000 units per day. C) level production of 420 units per day is below the January requirement. D) level production is approximately 420 units per month. E) the firm must hire workers between December and January.
C
What is the typical time horizon for aggregate planning? A) less than a month B) up to 3 months C) 3 to 18 months D) over one year E) over 5 years
C
Which of the following is NOT one of the four things needed for aggregate planning? A) a logical overall unit for measuring sales and output B) a method to determine the relevant costs C) a mathematical model that will minimize costs over the intermediate planning period D) an aggregate demand forecast for an intermediate planning period E) All of these are needed for aggregate planning.
C
A firm uses the pure chase strategy of aggregate planning. It produced 1000 units in the last period. Demand in the next period is estimated at 800, and demand over the next six periods (its aggregate planning horizon) is estimated to average 900 units. Which of the following tactics would be most representative of following a chase strategy? A) add 100 units to inventory in the next period B) add 200 units to inventory in the next period C) hire workers to match the 100-unit difference D) lay off workers to match the 200-unit difference E) implement a lower price point to increase demand
D
Aggregate planning would entail which of the following production aspects at BMW for a 12-month period? A) number of cars with a hi-fi stereo system to produce B) number of two-door vs. four-door cars to produce C) number of green cars to produce D) total number of cars to produce E) B, C, and D
D
What is the effort to plan the coordination of demand forecasts with functional areas of the firm and its supply chain? A) enterprise resource planning B) material requirements planning C) capacity planning D) sales and operations planning E) new product development
D
Aggregate planning for service firms that provide intangible output deals mainly with: A) smoothing the production rate and finding the optimal size of the workforce. B) capital investment decisions. C) centralized purchasing. D) centralized production. E) planning for human resource requirements and managing demand.
E
An aggregate plan satisfies forecast demand by potentially adjusting all EXCEPT which of the following? A) production rates B) labor levels C) inventory levels D) overtime work E) facility capacity
E
Which of the following statements regarding aggregate planning in services is FALSE? A) Approaches to aggregate planning differ by the type of service provided. B) Some service organizations conduct aggregate planning in exactly the same way as manufacturing firms, but with demand management taking a more active role. C) Aggregate planning in some service industries may be easier than in manufacturing. D) Labor is the primary aggregate planning vehicle. E) Level scheduling is far more common than using a chase strategy.
E
Aggregate planning in manufacturing ties organizational strategic goals to a production plan. T/F?
True
Aggregate planning occurs over the medium or intermediate future of 3 to 18 months. T/F?
True
Disaggregation is the process of breaking the aggregate plan into greater detail; one example of this detail is the master production schedule. T/F?
True
