Question 1

PERT time estimation: sources for probabilistic activity time  In PERT, the expected activity time is computed from three time estimates. Identify the inputs used to determine the probabilistic completion time for an activity.

Accepted Answer

Given data PERT uses three estimates: optimistic (to), most likely (tm), and pessimistic (tp). Approach Expected time (te) is computed as a weighted average:te = (to + 4 tm + tp) / 6 Conclusion Therefore, all three inputs are required. Final Answer All of these (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic).

Question 2

Material handling equipment: device for lifting/lowering by a hook and chain/cable  Identify the equipment used to raise or lower loads attached to a hook, via a retractable chain or wire rope. Choose the correct device.

Accepted Answer

Concept A hoist is the lifting mechanism (manual, electric, or pneumatic) that raises/lowers a hook-suspended load using chain or wire rope. A jib crane provides structure and slewing; conveyors and elevators move loads differently. Final Answer Hoist.

Question 3

Organisation structures: “military type” organisation is called what?  In classical management terminology, the military-type structure follows a direct chain of command (unity of command). Choose the correct name.

Accepted Answer

Concept The line organisation (military type) has a straight chain of command and clear authority lines. Functional and line-and-staff add staff/specialist roles to the basic line. Final Answer Line organisation.

Question 4

Value engineering: meaning of “value” in design-to-cost analysis  In value engineering, the goal is to maximize function for minimum cost. Select the best interpretation of “value”.

Accepted Answer

Concept Value engineering focuses on delivering the required function/utility at the lowest life-cycle cost. In shorthand, Value ≈ Function ÷ Cost. Among the options, “utility of the product” best captures the numerator. Final Answer Utility (function) provided by the product.

Question 5

Work study charts: diagram that shows the physical path of men or materials  A visual map of the route traced on a layout/plan to depict the movement during a task is required. Choose the correct chart/diagram name.

Accepted Answer

Concept A flow diagram shows the path of men/materials drawn over a layout or plan. A string diagram also represents movement on a scale plan but is primarily used to measure distances/times with a physical string. A travel chart is a tabular matrix of moves; a flow process chart records operations/inspections, not the literal path. Final Answer Flow diagram.

Question 6

Incentive plans: formula for Rowan plan wages  Let R = base time rate per hour, S = standard time for the job, and T = actual time taken. Using Rowan plan, write the total wages expression for the job.

Accepted Answer

Given R = base rate per hour; S = standard time; T = actual time taken. Concept (Rowan plan) Bonus is proportional to the fraction of time saved and the actual time worked:Bonus = (Time saved / Standard time) × (R × T) = ((S − T)/S) × (R T) Step-by-step Total wages W = Time wages + BonusW = R T + ((S − T)/S) · R · T(Equivalently, W = R T (2 − T/S)) Why others are wrong (b) is Halsey (100% share) type, not Rowan.(c) ignores actual time and bonus.(d) simplifies to R S (nonsensical here) and is not the Rowan expression. Final Answer W = R T + ((S − T)/S) · R · T.

Question 7

Project planning: chart that shows both progress status and machine loading  Identify the chart that simultaneously communicates job progress against time and the allocation/loading of machines or resources. Choose the correct chart type.

Accepted Answer

Given We need a chart that displays progress of work versus time and also conveys machine loading. Concept/Approach A Gantt chart (including its load/progress variants) plots activities on a time axis and can stack or color-code bars by machine or workstation to show both schedule progress and resource loading at a glance. Why others are not best fit • Process chart: shows sequence of operations/inspections, not time-based progress or loading. • Machine load chart: shows loading, but not task progress against time as clearly across all jobs. • Man–machine chart: shows utilization of a single operator and machine, not overall progress across many jobs. Final Answer Gantt chart (bar chart)

Question 8

Work design: term for enriching job content for meaning and autonomy  Definition focus: modifying work content to increase meaning and enjoyment by involving employees in planning, organisation, and control of their work. Choose the correct HRD term.

Accepted Answer

Given Intervention adds variety, autonomy, and responsibility by involving employees in planning, organising, and controlling their work. Concept Job enrichment deepens a job (vertical loading) to enhance motivation, meaning, and ownership. Eliminations • Job enlargement = horizontal addition of tasks; limited autonomy effects. • Job rotation = movement across jobs for variety/skill; not necessarily more control. • Job evaluation = valuing jobs for pay structures, not redesigning work content. Final Answer Job enrichment

Question 9

Wage incentive plans: plan with guaranteed minimum wage and bonus as fixed percentage of time saved  Identify the incentive plan that guarantees a time rate and pays a bonus equal to a fixed percentage of time saved. Choose the correct plan.

Accepted Answer

Given Bonus is a fixed percentage of time saved with guaranteed minimum wages. Concept Halsey plan bonus = p × (Time saved) × (Hourly rate), typically with p = 50% and an assured time rate floor. Why others do not match • Rowan: bonus ∝ (Time saved / Time allowed); not a fixed percentage of time saved. • Gantt: guaranteed time rate plus high piece rate/bonus for meeting standard, not fixed fraction of time saved. • Emerson: bonus based on efficiency levels; different structure. Final Answer Halsey plan

Question 10

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique): time estimates basis  Identify the time estimates used as the basis for PERT analysis. Select the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept PERT uses three-point estimates: optimistic (a), most likely (m), and pessimistic (b) to compute expected activity duration and variance for networks under uncertainty. Final Answer All of these (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic)

Question 11

Systematic job improvement sequence: constituent elements  Identify the comprehensive set of techniques that form a systematic sequence for job improvement in industrial engineering. Choose the best option.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach A structured job improvement involves: Method/motion study to simplify and optimize the method. Time study or work measurement to set fair standards. Job enrichment to improve motivation and utilization of human potential. Final Answer All of these

Question 12

Inventory control: definition of Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)  Select what EOQ represents within inventory control theory. Choose the correct meaning.

Accepted Answer

Concept EOQ is the order quantity that minimizes the total of annual ordering and holding costs under classical assumptions (constant demand, instantaneous replenishment, no shortages). Final Answer Optimum lot size (order quantity)

Question 13

Production system design: what the routing function optimizes  Define the primary focus of the routing function when designing a production system. Choose the correct objective.

Accepted Answer

Concept Routing specifies the path (sequence of operations and work centers) that materials follow. Its core aim is to optimize material flow to reduce travel, waiting, and WIP while meeting process requirements. Notes Effective routing improves machine and manpower utilization indirectly, but its direct objective is streamlined flow. Final Answer Optimising material flow through the plant

Question 14

Compensation design: definition of job evaluation  Identify what job evaluation objectively determines within an organisation. Choose the correct focus.

Accepted Answer

Concept Job evaluation systematically assesses the relative worth of jobs (not people) to build fair internal pay structures. Eliminations • Worker's performance → performance appraisal. • Machine worth → asset valuation. • Value of production → cost accounting/sales, not job evaluation. Final Answer Relative values of a job

Question 15

Value engineering: primary objective  Identify the main aim of value engineering in product/process design. Choose the correct objective.

Accepted Answer

Concept Value engineering seeks the best functional value by reducing unnecessary cost while preserving required performance, reliability, and quality. Why others are incorrect Depreciation and pricing are accounting/marketing tasks, not aims of value engineering. Final Answer Minimise cost without changing the required quality/function

Question 16

Materials handling equipment in large auto repair shops: statement validity  Context: In a large automobile repair shop, elevating and moving heavy parts (e.g., complete engine assemblies, gearboxes) is done using an overhead crane and a fork-lift t…

Accepted Answer

Given Heavy subassemblies (engines, gearboxes) must be lifted, positioned, and transported safely in a large repair shop. Concept/Approach An overhead crane provides vertical lifting and bay coverage for removal/installation, while a fork-lift truck moves heavy parts and pallets across the shop. This combination is standard practice for safe, efficient material handling in large facilities. Common pitfalls Assuming only one device is sufficient; in practice, cranes handle precise lifts, and fork-lifts handle transport. Final Answer True

Question 17

Production and operations management: main objective of a scientific (systematic) plant layout  Consider the goals of a well-designed scientific layout in manufacturing and service facilities. Identify the most complete statement of objectives achie…

Accepted Answer

Concept A scientific (systematic) layout arranges machines, workstations, people, and material flows to optimise the entire system. Its aims include quality consistency (by reducing handling and confusion), best use of space, and smoother flow with fewer bottlenecks and delays. Why "All of these" is correct • Better quality: fewer handling stages and clearer routing reduce mix-ups and damage.• Maximum floor utilisation: systematic placement reduces unused aisles and dead zones.• Minimal delays: shorter travel distances and balanced lines decrease waiting/queues. Common pitfall Focusing on one objective (e.g., space) can worsen others (e.g., delays). Scientific layout targets the system optimum. Final Answer All of these.

Question 18

CPM time–cost trade-off: formula used to determine an activity’s cost slope  In Critical Path Method (CPM) crashing, each activity has normal/crash time and cost data. Select the correct expression for the cost slope used to guide crashing decisions.

Accepted Answer

Given/Definition Cost slope measures the incremental cost per unit time saved when crashing an activity. Correct formula Cost slope = (Crash cost − Normal cost) ÷ (Normal time − Crash time) Step-by-step rationale • Numerator: extra cost you pay to crash = Crash cost − Normal cost.• Denominator: time saved by crashing = Normal time − Crash time.• Therefore, slope gives cost per day (or per week) saved, which you compare across activities to crash most economically. Verification example If normal time = 10 days, crash time = 7 days (save 3 days); normal cost = ₹40,000, crash cost = ₹55,000 (extra ₹15,000).Cost slope = 15,000 ÷ 3 = ₹5,000 per day saved. Common pitfall Do not invert the time difference; the denominator must be time saved (Normal − Crash). Final Answer (Crash cost − Normal cost) ÷ (Normal time − Crash time).

Question 19

Work study scope: what does work study include in industrial engineering?  Identify the complete composition of work study as used to improve productivity and cost. Choose the most accurate combination.

Accepted Answer

Concept Work study = Method study (how the job should be done) + Work measurement (how long it should take). Motion study is part of method study. Outcome Combining both yields standardised best methods and time standards for planning and control. Final Answer Method study and work measurement.

Question 20

Production control functions: what does dispatching do?  Match production control subfunctions (routing, scheduling, dispatching, expediting) with their roles. Identify the specific role of dispatching.

Accepted Answer

Function mapping • Routing: decide the path/sequence.• Scheduling: set the time tables.• Dispatching: issue authorisations/travellers to start work.• Expediting (follow-up): monitor and regulate progress. Final Answer Starts and authorises jobs on the shop floor (dispatching).

Industrial Engineering and Production Management Questions