Question

Which of the following statements about variation is false?

A. Variation prevents a production process from being as efficient as it can be.
B. Some variation can be prevented.
C. Variation can either be assignable or random.
D. Any variation makes a production process less productive
E. Random variation generally cannot be influenced by managers.

Answer 1

The false statement is that any variation makes a production process less productive. Some variation drives innovation and customer satisfaction. Random variation is hard to control but not impossible, while assignable variation can often be managed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is false regarding variation in a production process is: D. Any variation makes a production process less productive. While variation often reduces efficiency by introducing unpredictability into a system, not all variation is detrimental to productivity. Some level of variation can drive innovation, improvement, and can cater to different customer preferences which are essential for a business in a competitive market.

Variation in a production process is typically categorized as either assignable or random. Assignable variation can be traced to a specific cause and is, therefore, preventable or reducible. Random variation, on the other hand, is inherent to the production process and is more difficult to control, though not impossible. Reduction through process improvements and quality control measures can be achieved even in these cases.

Moreover, when considering products or services, some level of variety is necessary as it allows businesses to cater to a diverse range of customer preferences, which may actually increase productivity through larger sales volumes. Managers must analyze the right amount of variety that balances customer satisfaction with production efficiency.