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2. Case: The Ford Production System

Question (a)

The answer is required to cover a detailed examination of Ford’s production systems such as Craft production, Mass production and Assembly line production and how each one of them was an improvement over the earlier one, and a critical discussion as to how these production systems helped Ford gain recognition as an innovator in the automobile industry.

The answer briefly examines Ford’s Mass production and Assembly Line production. The answer also states that Ford became the first automobile maker to adopt 3D visualization tools like CAD, CAM in its manufacturing operations in 1970s.

While the answer has some relevant points, it should have also discussed Ford’s earlier Craft Type production, how the Mass production was an improved one. Also, it should have discussed in greater detail how these production systems helped Ford gain recognition as an innovator in the automobile industry. Overall, the answer is not comprehensive enough.

Question (b)

The answer is required to cover a detailed explanation of lean manufacturing, a detailed examination of Ford Production System (FPS), a detailed explanation of the key elements of FPS, and a critical discussion on how Ford implemented the principles of lean manufacturing through FPS.

The answer briefly explains lean manufacturing and the key elements of FPS and briefly discusses how Ford implemented lean manufacturing through FPS. It also states that FPS was based on many techniques of lean production and the vision of FPS was to have a lean system.

While the answer has many relevant points, it could have discussed in greater detail the FPS, and how Ford implemented the principles of lean manufacturing through FPS.