Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

Robust design describes a product that performs satisfactorily in a narrow range of conditions: is this statement true or false?

1. True

2. False

3. Always true

4. Only in specific fields

The correct answer is: False

Robust design refers to a product's ability to perform consistently and satisfactorily across a wide range of conditions, including variations in environmental factors, user inputs, and other external influences. The principle behind robust design is to enhance the reliability and performance of a product, ensuring it remains effective even under less-than-ideal circumstances. In this context, the statement that robust design describes a product performing satisfactorily in a "narrow range of conditions" does not align with the core idea of robustness. Instead, it emphasizes flexibility and resilience, demanding that the product withstands diverse and unpredictable scenarios. Thus, labeling the statement as false accurately reflects the foundational concept of robust design, which is about broad adaptability rather than narrow effectiveness. This understanding is crucial for professionals involved in production and operations management, as they aim to develop products that not only meet specifications but also excel in a variety of real-world applications.