Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

What is one key objective of layout design?

1. Reduce bottlenecks

2. Install computer terminals every 500 feet

3. Hold material handling costs to 27 percent or less

4. Use workers and space efficiently

The correct answer is: Use workers and space efficiently

The primary objective of layout design is to create a workspace that promotes efficiency in the use of both workers and space. A well-designed layout facilitates smoother workflows, minimizes unnecessary movement, and ensures that resources are utilized effectively. This contributes to productivity by enabling employees to perform their tasks with minimal disruption, reducing waste in terms of both time and materials. Efficient layout design also considers factors such as safety, accessibility, and communication among different areas. For example, placing machines or workstations in a manner that allows for easy access to tools and materials can enhance operational flow and improve employee morale. The other options, while they may relate to layout considerations, do not encapsulate the primary objective of layout design as comprehensively. Reducing bottlenecks pertains more to process optimization rather than layout itself, installing computer terminals every 500 feet is a specific guideline that lacks broader context, and holding material handling costs to a certain percentage focuses on cost management rather than directly addressing the layout dynamics. Thus, the focus on optimizing the use of workers and space is the quintessential goal of creating an effective layout.