Question 1

Work/method study tools: applications of a string diagram  A string diagram maps actual movement on a scaled layout for distance/time assessment. Identify valid use cases for a string diagram.

Accepted Answer

Concept A string diagram uses pinned string/lines over a scale layout to measure routes, distances, and frequencies of movement. It is valuable for: Comparing candidate layouts by travel distance/time. Studying multi-person, multi-machine patterns in one area. Tasks where one operator moves among several stations. Final Answer All of the above.

Question 2

Network diagrams (CPM/PERT): basic construction guidelines  Consider standard rules for drawing activity-on-arrow networks. Identify the set of correct guidelines.

Accepted Answer

Guidelines explained • One arrow per activity avoids duplication and ambiguity.• Avoid dangling ends; every activity must start/end at well-defined events.• Dummy activities exist only to maintain logic; they have zero duration and no resource use. Final Answer All of the above.

Question 3

Scheduling tools: primary use of a Gantt (bar) chart in production  Identify the most appropriate application area of Gantt charts in operations management. Choose the best option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Gantt (bar) charts provide a time-scaled visual of planned vs. actual start/finish for jobs, machines, or departments. They are widely used for production schedules and progress control. Why others are less appropriate Inventory control uses ABC/EOQ etc.; material handling uses different tools. Maintenance can use Gantt, but its primary association in operations is production scheduling. Final Answer Production scheduling and tracking.

Question 4

Break-even analysis: components of total cost versus output  In a cost–volume–profit (CVP) framework, total cost (TC) varies with output. Select the correct composition of total cost.

Accepted Answer

Definitions Total cost (TC) = Fixed cost (does not vary with output) + Variable cost (varies with output). Sales revenue and profit are not parts of cost. Break-even condition At break-even: Sales revenue = Total cost = Fixed cost + Variable cost. Final Answer Fixed cost + Variable cost.

Question 5

Inventory management: application of A–B–C analysis (Pareto classification)  Identify the function/area where ABC analysis is primarily applied to control items by importance. Choose the correct application.

Accepted Answer

Concept ABC analysis ranks items by annual consumption value (A: vital few, B: moderate, C: trivial many) to focus control where it matters most. It is a core inventory control technique. Final Answer Inventory control (classification of items by value usage).

Question 6

PERT expected time (probabilistic): compute using optimistic, most likely, pessimistic  For an activity with three time estimates: tₒ (optimistic), tₙ (most likely), and tₚ (pessimistic). Choose the correct expression for the PERT expected time.

Accepted Answer

Approach (Beta distribution assumption) PERT models activity time with a (shifted) beta distribution and uses a weighted mean favouring the most likely time. Expected time formula te = (tₒ + 4 tₙ + tₚ) / 6 Illustration If tₒ = 4, tₙ = 6, tₚ = 10 (days):te = (4 + 4×6 + 10)/6 = (4 + 24 + 10)/6 = 38/6 ≈ 6.33 days. Common pitfalls Do not average equally; PERT gives 4× weight to the most likely estimate. Final Answer (tₒ + 4 tₙ + tₚ) / 6.

Question 7

PERT time estimates: how many estimates does PERT require for each activity?  According to the PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) approach, identify the number of time estimates used to model activity duration uncertainty. Choose the cor…

Accepted Answer

Concept PERT models activity duration uncertainty with three estimates: optimistic (a), most likely (m), and pessimistic (b). These combine to give the expected time and variance for network analysis. Why triple Using three points better captures uncertainty than a single or double estimate, improving schedule risk analysis. Final Answer triple time estimate

Question 8

Applicability of linear programming (LP) to operations problems  Evaluate the statement: “Linear programming models can be applied to the line balancing problem and the transportation problem.” Mark the statement's correctness.

Accepted Answer

Concept The transportation problem is a classic LP. Line balancing can be formulated as an integer/linear program (assigning tasks to stations subject to precedence and cycle-time constraints). Implication Therefore, LP-based formulations apply to both problems, although heuristics are often used in practice for line balancing. Final Answer True

Question 9

Project scheduling: interpretation of negative slack/float  When an activity shows negative slack (negative float) in a network schedule, what does it indicate for the overall program status and resources? Choose the most accurate statement.

Accepted Answer

Concept Slack (float) is the allowable delay of an activity without affecting project dates. Negative slack means the required finish date is earlier than the earliest achievable finish—indicating the schedule is already behind. Implications Negative float typically requires acceleration measures (e.g., crashing, fast-tracking, or allocating more resources) to meet deadlines. Final Answer The programme is behind schedule and additional resources are required to finish on time

Question 10

A critical activity has

Accepted Answer

zero slack

Question 11

A dummy activity in a net work diagram

Accepted Answer

all of these

Question 12

In a thermal power plant, coal from the coal handling plant is moved to the boiler bunker through a

Accepted Answer

belt conveyor

Question 13

In value engineering, important consideration is given to

Accepted Answer

cost reduction

Question 14

When slack of an activity is positive

Accepted Answer

it represents a situation where extra resources are available and the completion of project is not delayed

Question 15

The essential condition for the decompression of an activity is that

Accepted Answer

an activity could be decompressed to the maximum extent of its normal time

Question 16

The unit cost in case of batch production is __________ as compared to jobbing production.

Accepted Answer

low

Question 17

Sampling method of determining standard time is profitable for long cycle operation.

Accepted Answer

Correct

Question 18

Break even analysis is a

Accepted Answer

short term analysis

Question 19

For a small scale industry, the fixed cost per month is Rs. 5000. The variable cost per product is Rs. 20 and sales price is Rs. 30 per piece. The break even production per month will be

Accepted Answer

500

Industrial Engineering and Production Management Questions