Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a characteristic of product layouts?

1. High rate of output

2. Low unit costs

3. Ability to adjust to changes in demand

4. Specialization of labor

The correct answer is: Ability to adjust to changes in demand

Product layouts are designed primarily for the mass production of a single product or a few similar products. This type of layout has several defining characteristics, which include high rates of output due to the streamlined flow of materials and tasks. The repetitive tasks involved in product layouts also lead to low unit costs, as economies of scale can be realized, reducing the costs associated with each unit produced. Additionally, specialization of labor is a significant characteristic; workers are assigned specific tasks that they perform repeatedly, leading to increased efficiency and expertise in those areas. In contrast, the ability to adjust to changes in demand is not a strength of product layouts. These layouts are rigid, designed for efficiency rather than flexibility. When demand fluctuates significantly, it can be challenging to adapt production processes without incurring downtime or inefficiencies. Thus, while product layouts excel in high volume and low cost, they struggle to accommodate changes in demand. This lack of flexibility makes the option referring to the ability to adjust to changes in demand the correct identification of a non-characteristic of product layouts.