CPIM Practice Exam

What is the primary function of production activity control (PAC)?

1. Only to monitor employee performance

2. To control supplier relationships exclusively

3. To route and dispatch work through the production facility

4. To forecast market demand

The correct answer is: To route and dispatch work through the production facility

The primary function of production activity control (PAC) is to route and dispatch work through the production facility. PAC plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating the flow of materials and work-in-progress items through various production stages. By ensuring that production schedules are followed and that resources are effectively allocated, PAC helps optimize efficiency and meet production targets. Moreover, routing involves determining the best path for materials and tasks throughout the production process, while dispatching focuses on assigning the right jobs to the appropriate workstations at the right time. This function is essential for maintaining smooth operations, minimizing delays, and ensuring that production processes are executed in a timely manner. In contrast to the chosen answer, the other options reflect functions that do not encapsulate the core responsibilities of PAC. Monitoring employee performance is an aspect of human resource management rather than production control. Controlling supplier relationships primarily falls under procurement and supply chain management, not directly relating to the activities within the production facility. Forecasting market demand pertains to sales and marketing functions and is not a direct responsibility of production activity control.