algorithm A procedure described by a series of steps. Click here for Hint project or algorithm or load distance?

assemble-to-order (ATO) A system that produces standard modules to be modified and/or combined into a customizable product. Click here for Hint ATO or product layout or process layout?

balance delay Percent of a workstation time not in productive use during the operation of a product layout. Click here for Hint balance delay or ATO or efficiency?

bottleneck The most heavily utilized resource within a system. Click here for Hint dynamic or cycle time or bottleneck?

business process reengineering Evaluation and improvement of an existing process design. Click here for Hint business process reengineering or efficiency or remanufacturing?

cellular manufacturing A complex production facility subdivided into smaller product layouts. Click here for Hint product layout or process layout or cellular manufacturing?

closeness rating Standard scoring system for the desirability of proximity within a facility. Click here for Hint heuristic or closeness rating or algorithm?

continuous processing A make-to-stock strategy emphasizing uninterrupted production. Click here for Hint make-to-stock or hybrid layout or continuous processing?

cycle time The ‘pace’ of a product layout, being the total amount of time each workstation has to complete its assigned tasks once during ongoing operation of the system. Click here for Hint bottleneck or cycle time or line balancing?

delayed differentiation An ATO strategy for stocking highly standardized components for later customization into finished goods. Click here for Hint ATO or delayed differentiation or job shop?

dynamic Actively and continuously changing. Click here for Hint heuristic or processes or dynamic?

efficiency Percent of a resource in productive use. Click here for Hint cycle time or balance delay or efficiency?

finished goods Inventory awaiting sale to consumers. Click here for Hint make-to-order or make-to-stock or finished goods?

fixed-position layout A configuration in which transformation cannot move, requiring all supporting resources and processes to travel to that location. Click here for Hint fixed-position layout or hybrid layout or process layout?

functional organizational structure An organization of specialists grouped into distinct departments. Click here for Hint functional organizational structure or matrix organizational structure or process layout?

group technology The organization of diverse products into families of similar production requirements. Click here for Hint group technology or process layout or cellular manufacturing?

heuristic A procedure to develop a good, though not necessarily optimal, solution. Click here for Hint closeness rating or heuristic or algorithm?

hybrid layout Any mix of elements from a product layout and a process layout, to gain the advantages of both. Click here for Hint fixed-position layout or hybrid layout or process layout?

immediate predecessor Tasks that must be completed before another task is started. Click here for Hint immediate predecessor or bottleneck or finished goods?

job shop A process layout. Click here for Hint job shop or process layout or make-to-order?

lead time Delay between requesting a product and receiving it. Click here for Hint balance delay or cycle time or lead time?

line balancing A product layout design technique which assigns the tasks to be performed at consecutive workstations, seeking to balance the workload among them. Click here for Hint line balancing or product layout or balance delay?

load distance A quantity multiplied by the distance that the quantity will travel, to create an overall expression of the work required by that action. Click here for Hint cycle time or load distance or closeness rating?

make-to-order A system that produces low volumes of customized product. Click here for Hint make-to-order or make-to-stock or job shop?

make-to-stock A system that produces high volumes of standardized product. Click here for Hint make-to-order or make-to-stock or process layout?

matrix organizational structure An organization that groups differing functions together according to requirements of the work. Click here for Hint functional organizational structure or matrix organizational structure or process layout?

mixed model assembly Production of a range of products with a single assembly line, primarily by varying features on an otherwise standardized product. Click here for Hint continuous processing or ATO or mixed model assembly?

precedence relationship A dependency between two tasks, usually requiring that one task be completed before the other task is started. Click here for Hint precedence relationship or project or bottleneck?

processes Activities that transform inputs into outputs. Click here for Hint finished goods or project or processes?

process layout A configuration in which transformation proceeds along multiple, shifting patterns through a facility. Click here for Hint fixed-position layout or hybrid layout or process layout?

product layouts A configuration in which transformation proceeds along a single, unchanging pattern through a facility. Click here for Hint process layout or product layout or make-to-stock?

project A unique collection of activities creating a particular outcome. Click here for Hint remanufacturing or processes or project?

raw materials Inventory brought in from outside the system. Click here for Hint finished goods or WIP or raw materials?

remanufacturing Production of finished goods from the recycled components of returned goods. Click here for Hint remanufacturing or finished goods or business process reengineering?

work-in-process (WIP) Inventory resulting from transformation of raw materials, but not yet ready for sale to consumers. Click here for Hint finished goods or WIP or raw materials?