LTL Ltd is a manufacturing organisation producing made-to-order equipment for the construction industry, such as bespoke windows and doors. The Head of Operations has received four large orders and is considering the sequencing of production.
Which of the following should the company do?
A. Use a First Come, First Serve system to prioritise the orders that were made first, ensuring customer satisfaction
B. Sequence the orders in the way that will be the cheapest to produce, creating the highest profit margin
C. Create the orders in the most logical, economic, and fastest pattern. This may mean that the first order received is the last to be produced
D. Start manufacturing the order that has the longest completion time first so all orders are ready at the same time
Explanation:
Sequencing involves balancing logic, cost, and speed to optimise production. Prioritising orders purely by arrival time (Option A) or cost efficiency (Option B) might not be practical. Similarly, making sure all orders finish at the same time (Option D) isn't always necessary. (See p.183)