SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

Revision: Past papers and feedback

Operations Management
Author: Dr Abhijeet Ghadge

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

Revision Materials

Lecture 13.1: Revision Session

Mock Exams/Past Papers

Included here are the actual examination feedback provided for the Edinburgh Campus examination for this
course in 2013 and 2014.
The exams are included in the pack for students.
You may run these as revision exercises or as class tests / practice exams for formative learning and teaching
purposes.
Included here also are four additional mock exam questions with models answers. You may wish to test your
students with these also. Further, many of the Tutorial questions are similar in type to those asked in exams,
so tutors may find it useful to select tutorial questions also for mock exams.
All exams for this course require students to answer 2 from 5 questions in two hours. The answer style is
essay, unless (rarely) otherwise stated.
It is difficult to provide definitive guidance on examinations and how best to prepare students.

MOCK EXAM A:
EXAMINATION FEEDBACK FROM ACTUAL EXAM AS RUN IN 2012/13
REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

OVERALL COMMENTS FOR EXAM PERFORMANCE

Some very strong answers and some good A's and B's awarded. Very few students demonstrated any
knowledge acquired beyond the course lecture notes and material made available on the VISION. Overall
student's performance is good at understanding the key concepts associated with Operations Management. It
is clear from the exam scripts that most students had sufficient time to answer two questions (Any 2 out of 5
questions).
Lecture attendance was poor, approximately 40% at majority times, 93% course pass rate would indicate the
students read the course books and used VISION instead. The coursework figure is made up of tutorial
attendance, preparation and contribution along with a group assignment. The overall course grade comprises
of coursework (40% weightage) and final exam (60% weightage).
PERFORMANCE PER QUESTION
QUESTION 1: Describe five key operations performance objectives that apply to all types of organisations.
(50%)
Draw a polar diagram comparing the performance objectives for any two of the following combinations: (50%)

A hospital versus a superstore.

A taxi service versus a bus service.

A university student's restaurant versus a catering service.

John Lewiss versus Amazon on the internet.

Majority of students attempted this question. This was a relatively easy question and focused on the
fundamental concepts associated with the Operations Management. The question focused on the key
performance objectives applicable to all organizations. Sub-question was looking for a polar diagram for two
combinations; most of the students did two combinations with few just did one losing some marks. Good
answers with appropriate examples were provided by most of the students. Good recall of all 5 performance
objectives. Excellent overall.
QUESTION 2: Describe the four V's of Operations Management (20%).
What are different process types found in a manufacturing and service operations? Illustrate your answer with
examples (80%).
This question focused on 4 V's and their relationship with different process types found in manufacturing and
service industry. Good number of students answered both sections well. Excellent answers provided
appropriate diagrams and multiple examples. Some students seem to have forgotten to answer first section (in
excitement Or due less weightage??) and focused primarily on the second section. Very good overall.

QUESTION 3: Describe each of the four classical types of operations layout; support your answer with
appropriate diagrams and examples (60%).
Compare some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each layout type (40%).
This question focused on four classical types of operations layout. Good number of students identified correct
types and provided appropriate diagram and examples. Very few students who attempted this question could
clearly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each layout. Most demonstrated only a superficial
understanding of different layouts; a few students included excellent extra diagrams and references. Good
overall.
QUESTION 4: What are different types of waste identified through 'Lean Philosophy' (50%)? Explain different
approaches to eliminate the waste (50%).
About a quarter of the class answered this. This question focused on different types of waste observed in
'Lean Philosophy' and ways to mitigate them. The chapter was covered in week 10 (close to end of semester
teaching) and hence very few students attempted this question. Those who attempted demonstrated basic

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

understanding of different wastes; a few students included excellent examples for each type of waste and
discussed four potential approaches to eliminate them. Average overall.

QUESTION 5: Briefly explain basic nodes/entities of supply chain network from either 'Chicken run: Poultry
supply chain' or 'Supplying fast fashion' case study (50%).
OR
Explain the benefits of information sharing, collaboration and outsourcing in matching supply with demand with
reference to the case study (50%).
This question focused on the case studies covered during course tutorial sessions. Case study based
question expected a fundamental understanding of different entities in supply network and benefits of supply
chain strategies. Similar question was covered during 'key learning's from case studies' tutorial session to
support good attempts for this question. Good number of students attempted the question and demonstrated
basic understanding of different entities within supply network with reference to the case study chosen.
Average overall.

MOCK EXAM B:
EXAMINATION FEEDBACK FROM ACTUAL EXAM AS RUN IN 2013/14
OVERALL COMMENTS FOR EXAM PERFORMANCE
Lot many students demonstrated OM related knowledge acquired beyond the course lecture notes and
material made available on the VISION. Overall student's performance was very good at understanding the
key concepts associated with Operations Management. It is clear from the exam scripts that most students
had sufficient time to answer two questions (Any 2 out of 5 questions).

PERFORMANCE PER QUESTION

QUESTION 1:
Describe five key operations performance objectives applied to all types of organisations (50%).
Draw and explain a polar diagram comparing the performance objectives for below combinations (50%):

A private hospital versus a government hospital.

A university versus a training institute.

A1: Majority of students attempted this question. This was a relatively easy question and focused on the
fundamental concepts associated with the Operations Management.
A2: The question focused on the key performance objectives applicable to all organizations. Sub-question
was looking for a polar diagram for two combinations; most of the students did two combinations with few just
did one losing some marks.
A3: Good answers with appropriate examples were provided by most of the students. Good recall of all 5
performance objectives.
A4: Excellent overall.
QUESTION 2: Describe the four V's of Operations Management (20%). Describe the main process types
found in manufacturing AND service organisations with appropriate examples (80%).
A1: This question focused on 4 V's and their relationship with different process types found in manufacturing
and service industry.
A2: Good number of students answered both sections well. Excellent answers provided appropriate diagrams
and multiple examples.
A3: Some students seem to have forgotten to answer first section (in excitement Or due less weightage??)
and focused primarily on the second section.

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

A4: Very good overall

QUESTION 3: Discuss different types of Inventory with examples (40%). Describe advantages and
disadvantage of holding an Inventory (60%).
A1: This question focused on different types of Inventory and their advantages and disadvantages. Good
number of students identified correct types and provided appropriate diagram and examples to discuss pros
and cons of holding an inventory.
A2: Very less students who attempted this question could clearly discuss the advantages and disadvantages
of holding an Inventory.
A4: Good overall
QUESTION 4: Explain operations improvement process with help of DMAIC cycle (50%). Discuss key
approaches for managing improvement (50%).
A1: This question focused on process improvement cycle and different approaches for managing
improvement.
A2: The chapter was covered in week 10 (close to end of semester teaching) and hence very few students
attempted this question.
A3: Those who attempted demonstrated basic understanding of DMAIC cycle; a few students included
excellent diagrams, discussing each stage of improvement and discussed four potential approaches for
managing improvement.
A4: Average overall
QUESTION 5: With reference to Disneyland Resort Paris case, discuss different problems faced by Disneys
at Paris (60%). Discuss factors important during location decision (40%).
OR
With reference to 'supplying fast fashion case, compare supply chain network of any two from
Benetton, H&M and Zara with appropriate diagrams (60%). Discuss some of the advantages and
disadvantages of outsourcing (40%).
A1: This question focused on the case studies covered during course tutorial sessions.
A2: Case study based question expected a fundamental understanding of different entities in supply network
and benefits of outsourcing. There was an optional question based on case study looking at concepts related
to the location decision.
A3: Both questions were explained during 'key learning's from case studies' tutorial session to support good
attempts for this question.
A4: Good number of students attempted the question and demonstrated basic understanding of different
entities within supply network with reference to the case study chosen.
A4: Average overall

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

MODEL Question paper

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Course Code: C18OP
Semester 2
Sample Exam

INSTRUCTIONS
Answer any two questions.

1. The five basic operations management performance objectives allow an

organization to measure its performance in achieving their strategic goals.
Discuss each of these performance objectives individually, giving where
possible specific examples for each (20% each).
2. Describe each of the four classical types of operations layout; support your
answer with appropriate diagrams and examples (60%).
Compare some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each
layout type (40%).

3. Briefly explain the supply network from either XXXX' OR 'Supplying fast fashion'
case study (30%). Explain the benefits of information sharing, collaboration and
outsourcing in matching supply with demand with reference to the case study (20%
each).
4. Multiple stages are involved in design of product and service from concepts to
specification. Describe and explain different stages of product and service design
(100%).
5. It has been stated by Slack et al. (2011) that there are four approaches to
formulating an operations strategy but each of them only goes partway to
illustrating the forces that shape operations strategy. Discuss this point of view
and where possible illustrate your answer with examples (25% each).

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

Additional exam type questions and model answers:

Model Question:
Process type implies differences in the set of tasks performed by the
process and the way materials or information or customers flow through the
process. Describe the main process types to be found in manufacturing
(50%) and service (50%) organizations. Give examples of each process
type.
Model Answer:
Process types in manufacturing and service organizations are classified based
on variation in volume and variety. The flow of materials or information or
customers varies depending upon these classifications.
The five generic process types in manufacturing are project, jobbing, batch,
mass (line) and continuous (10% marks for correctly naming all the process
types in manufacturing).
A summary of the characteristics of each type should be given along with
specific examples (30% marks for explaining all process types with one
example each).
The explanation added with a diagram representing different types based on
variation in volume and variety will be the good answer (10% marks for
providing diagram with proper labelling).

Figure 1: Different types of process types in manufacturing organization

REVISION TUTOR

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGES

Similarly, the characteristics of the three process types found in service

organisations should be described i.e. professional services, service shops
mass services.

Figure 2: Different types of process in Service organization

(Similar marking scheme applies for explaining all service process types with
appropriate examples and diagram)

The overall good answer is likely to provide an overview of process types in

both manufacturing and services organizations with limited examples and
suitable diagrams.

Students are expected to provide to the point answers. They can use bullets to
explain each process type. Examples should be clearly mentioned below each
process type. Additional marks would be awarded for providing multiple
examples and clear diagram with neat labelling.

In addition to the aforementioned, a better answer may extend the discussion to

comment on the differences and anomalies between manufacturing and service
organizations.

The best answer could extend their discussion (with all above) to include how
manufacturing and service organizations can be differentiated according to
labour intensity and customisation. They could also discuss how process types
vary with respect to repeatability and standardisation, flexibility and
planning/control complexity, etc.

REVISION TUTOR