Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about variation is false?

1. Variation can either be assignable or random

2. Variation prevents production from being as efficient as it can be

3. Some variation can be prevented

4. Any variation makes a production process less productive

The correct answer is: Any variation makes a production process less productive

The statement regarding variation that is false is that any variation makes a production process less productive. In reality, not all variation is detrimental; some variation is inherent in processes and may not necessarily hinder productivity. This is particularly true for random variation, which is a natural part of many processes and can be accounted for in quality management practices. Moreover, a certain level of variation can indicate flexibility and adaptability in a system, allowing for responsiveness to changing conditions or customer demands. Other statements provide a clearer understanding of variation’s role in production processes. Variation can indeed be categorized as assignable or random, with assignable variation being those changes that can be traced to a specific cause, while random variation is due to inherent fluctuations in the process. It's also true that variation can impact production efficiency, especially when it leads to defects, rework, or inefficiencies. Additionally, some variation can be controlled or prevented through appropriate process improvements, hence indicating that while some variation is expected, it is not uniformly detrimental to productivity.