Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

What activities are aimed at reducing the complexity and improving the maintainability of a product?

1. Cost reduction and budget planning

2. Manufacturability and value engineering

3. Quality assurance and process control

4. Market research and product development

The correct answer is: Manufacturability and value engineering

The activities aimed at reducing complexity and improving the maintainability of a product are best represented by manufacturability and value engineering. Manufacturability refers to the ease with which a product can be manufactured, with an emphasis on designing products that require minimal resources and time during production. This often involves simplifying designs to eliminate unnecessary components and processes, thereby reducing complexity. Value engineering, on the other hand, is a methodical approach to improving the value of a product while maintaining its essential functions. It focuses on identifying and eliminating unnecessary costs by analyzing functions and finding ways to achieve the same performance with less expense, contributing to both reduced complexity in production processes and improved maintainability of the final product. Together, these activities help ensure that products are not only easier to manufacture but also simpler to maintain, ultimately leading to better performance and customer satisfaction.