Below are descriptions of 5 organisations in the manufacturing industry. Each organisation creates a different product in a different way. For each organisation, select the prioritisation method for processing orders from customers and the pattern of workflow used.
Organisation 1: This company makes their product only after receiving orders from customers. All items produced are identical which means that items can be produced very quickly and effectively. Orders are prioritised based on the necessary lead-time specified by the customer.
Organisation 2: This organisation produces products which can be customised – customers simply specify the dimensions and materials required when placing their order online. In order to produce these, the organisation groups the product by characteristics when deciding which orders to complete first.
Organisation 3: This organisation looks at the length of time the order will take to make, and prioritises those that will take the most amount of time. Each product created is unique so processing time varies greatly.
Organisation 4: This organisation creates the same item in small amounts each year. Orders are processed on the day they are received and shipped out the next day.
Organisation 5: This organisation has low order numbers but is continuing to create products in a hope that sales will increase soon. Different members of the team produce different items.
Complete the table below by listing prioritisation method and pattern of workflow. Some answers may not be used: earliest due date, shortest processing time, longest processing time, similar process, HR skill requirement, first in-first out, make to order, make to stock, engineer to order, configure to order, continuous production, batch production.
Which of the following will you put into box 6?