Home-Style Cookies

Home-Style Cookies

Celestine Coney

BUS 644 Operations Management

Michael Snell

October 21, 2011

Home Style Cookies

Briefly describe the cookie production process.

The cookie production process is called a batch processing system. According to the text; “batch processing is used when a moderate value of goods or services is desired and it can handle a moderate variety of products and services” (Stevenson, 2009, p. 239). Management receives orders from distributors and in turn a schedule is formulated which contains cookies to be produced. This list is then distributed to the individual whose responsibility is to mix. The individual in charge of mixing then establishes the ingredients required to make the cookies. The rest of the batch processing technique includes mixing, cutting and baking. The cookies are cut diagonal rather than straight because this strategy allows more space which in turn allows for a higher level of productivity. The increased length of the oven by 25 feet also increases the rate of production. I think that the cookie production process saves the company money because they make only what is required and therefore is not wasteful by making too many cookies. Making an overabundance of cookies will cause the company to lose out on money in the long run.

What are two ways that the company has increased productivity? Why did increasing the length of the ovens result in a faster output rate?

The company was able to increase productivity by simply cutting the cookies diagonal rather than round and by increasing the length of the oven used to bake the cookies in. By making the cookies diagonal rather than round, they are able to fit more cookies in the oven at one time and by increasing the length of the oven, the company is able to produce more cookies at a time.

Do you think that the company is making the right decision by not automating the packing of cookies? Explain your reasoning. What obligation does a company have to its employees...