Supply Chain - Assignment Example

Supply Chain Question Stability in lean manufacturing means the predictability and consistence of the activities that entail the whole process and these are normally referred to as the 4Ms (Materials, Manpower, Methods and Machines). The reason this is a basic requirement is that without these requirements, it is not possible to run a production line that will result in the perfect use of resources.Question 2It is important to note that the principles of lean production can also be applied to the service industry due to the fact that the same principles of restructuring operations in a way that will reduce wastages can also be applied in the service industry.

This is due to the fact that all business operations are similar in that they are mostly concerned with the development of a product in the most cost effective way.Question 3Lean is hard to implement due to the simple reason that it is a change process just like any other and therefore employees and other players in the organisation may resist this change as it threatens the status quo. This is the main reason why lean has faced various challenges in implementation.Question 4In a lean system suppliers are important in that they help coordinate the delivery of raw materials and other inputs used in the production process.

Customers on the other hand help the company in terms of suggestions of product enhancement as well as any other improvements that may be needed in order to ensure the success of the product.Question 5It is important to note that the lean philosophy is aimed at the maximisation of both the quality and productivity in order to ensure maximum value to the customer. These two therefore go hand in hand in order to ensure that the production process results in products of highest quality.Question 6The triple bottom line is also known as people planet and profits and is used to explain the fact that businesses are responsible to stakeholders and not shareholders.

In the manufacturing sector, it is used to ensure that companies do not carry out any activities that may pollute the environment. In the service industry, this is used to ensure that any practices do not affect any stakeholders such as the suppliers or customers negatively.Reference Dinero, D., Training within industry: The Foundation of Lean, New York: Productivity Press, 2005.