Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

True or False: Standardization increases the variety in a product or service.

1. True

2. False

3. Sometimes

4. Not necessarily

The correct answer is: False

Standardization refers to the process of establishing and implementing technical standards to maintain consistency in production and service delivery. By its nature, standardization reduces the variability in products or services, which typically leads to a more uniform output. This uniformity is designed to enhance quality, efficiency, and predictability for both producers and consumers. When products or services are standardized, they offer less variety because they adhere to set specifications and design parameters. This allows organizations to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve productivity, but it limits the range of options available to consumers. Therefore, in the context of the question, it is correct to state that standardization does not increase the variety in a product or service; rather, it does the opposite by promoting consistency and uniformity.