CPIM Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of product-based layouts?

1. Little build-up of WIP inventory

2. High flexibility for various products

3. Linear workflow arrangement

4. Consistency in production flow

The correct answer is: High flexibility for various products

Product-based layouts are known for their specific characteristics that facilitate efficient mass production. One notable trait is the linear arrangement of operations, which supports a consistent flow in production. This aids in minimizing work-in-progress (WIP) inventory as products move sequentially from one workstation to the next. Such layouts typically achieve high levels of consistency in the production process, leading to reduced variability in output. While product-based layouts excel at efficiency and consistency, they are generally not designed to provide high flexibility for various products. Instead, they are tailored for producing a limited range of similar items, which allows for streamlined processes but limits the capability to adapt to different product types without significant disruption. Therefore, flexibility is not a characteristic associated with product-based layouts. The other characteristics—involved processes having little build-up of WIP, a linear workflow arrangement, and consistency in production flow—are central to how product-based layouts operate. Thus, high flexibility for various products stands out as the trait that does not align with the fundamental characteristics of product-based layouts.