Chapter 16  Scheduling

Chapter

16 Scheduling

TRUE/FALSE

1. Scheduling is the allocation of resources over time to accomplish specific tasks.

Answer: True
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: scheduling, resource, tasks

2. Demand schedules assign customers to a definite time for order fulfillment.

Answer: True
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: demand, schedule

3. One distinction between manufacturing and services that affects scheduling is that services have
difficulty creating inventories to buffer against demand uncertainties.
Answer: True
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Proceses
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: service, buffer, inventory

4. One distinction between manufacturing and services that affects scheduling is that service operations
demand often is less predictable.
Answer: True
Reference: Scheduling Service and Mannufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: service, demand

5. A job is the object being manufactured or the customer awaiting service.

Answer: True
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: job, service, manufacturing

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6. The Gantt chart can be used as a tool for sequencing work on machines and monitoring its progress.
Answer: True
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: Gantt

7. Work-in-process inventory is the same thing as pipeline inventory.

Answer: True
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: WIP, pipeline, work, process

8. Makespan is the total amount of time to complete a single job or the first job in a group of jobs.
Answer: False
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: makespan

9. A rotating schedule calls for each employee to work the same days and hours each week.
Answer: False
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: rotating, schedule

10. A fixed schedule gives each employee the next employee’s schedule the following week.
Answer: False
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: fixed, schedule

11. Operations scheduling decisions are driven by the master production schedule.
Answer: True
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: MPS, master, production, schedule, operations

12. Jobs processed in a shortest-processing-time schedule will have a higher average lateness than jobs
processed in an earliest-due-date schedule.
Answer: True
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: shortest, processing, SPT, EDD, schedule, lateness, early, due

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13. Earliest due date (EDD) is a priority-sequencing rule that states the job requiring the shortest
processing time is the next job to be processed.
Answer: False
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, priority, sequence, early, due

14. In a single machine job shop, an early due date schedule will yield an identical makespan to a
shortest-processing-time schedule.
Answer: True
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, SPT, shortest, processing, schedule, makespan, early, due

15. A first-come, first-served schedule minimizes the average flow time for all jobs.
Answer: False
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: FCFS, first-come, first-served, flow

16. Critical ratio (CR) is a single-dimension priority rule.

Answer: False
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: critical, ratio, dimension

17. Johnson’s rule is a procedure that minimizes makespan in scheduling a group of jobs on two
workstations.
Answer: True
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, makespan

18. In practice, a labor-limited scheduling environment is more common than a machine-limited

scheduling environment.
Answer: True
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: labor, limited, machine

19. Advanced planning and scheduling systems (APS) seek to optimize resources across the supply chain
and align daily operations with strategic goals.
Answer: True
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: APS, supply, chain

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MULTIPLE CHOICE

20. Compared with workforce scheduling, operations scheduling:

A. assigns people to on-duty and off-duty periods of time during some planning horizon.
B. determines available labor capacity for each time period.
C. deals with a myriad of legal, behavioral, and psychological considerations.
D. determines the tasks that workers are to do while on duty.
Answer: d
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: operations, scheduling

21. The workforce schedule:

A. determines when employees work.
B. determines how many workers are needed over an extended horizon.
C. determines the daily worker requirements.
D. specifies the specific task each worker is to do and when.
Answer: a
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, schedule

22. A demand schedule is a type of scheduling that:

A. determines when employees work.
B. determines when orders will peak.
C. assigns customers to a definite time for order fulfillment.
D. assigns jobs to workstations or employees to jobs for specified time periods.
Answer: c
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: demand, schedule, customers

23. An operations schedule is a type of scheduling that:

A. determines when employees work.
B. assigns employees to tasks depending on availability.
C. assigns customers to a definite time for order fulfillment.
D. assigns jobs to workstations or employees to jobs for specified time periods.
Answer: d
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: operations, schedule

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24. Which one of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The progress chart graphically displays the days each employee is on duty.
B. The machine chart is a visual tool useful for determining the consequence of schedule changes on a
trial-and-error basis.
C. Gantt charts are tools that determine the optimal schedule of jobs in a job shop.
D. Gantt charts display only the ideal use (planned schedules) of resources over time because the
actual use is too variable.
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: machine, chart

25. Gantt charts can be used to:

A. monitor the progress of jobs but cannot be used to sequence work on each machine.
B. sequence work on each machine but cannot be used to monitor the progress of each job.
C. monitor the progress of jobs and sequence work on each machine.
D. monitor the average number of defective parts generated by a machine on each job.
Answer: c
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: Gantt

26. Makespan is the same as flow time for:

A. the first job that is late out of a sequence of jobs to be processed.
B. the first job in a sequence of jobs to be processed.
C. the last job in a sequence of jobs to be processed.
D. Makespan and flow time are never the same.
Answer: c
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: makespan, flow

27. Job flow time is defined as the:

A. time of completion of a job minus the time it was available for the first operation.
B. processing time to complete a particular job.
C. time of completion of the last job of a group minus the starting time of the first job.
D. amount of time by which a group of jobs missed their due dates.
Answer: a
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: job, flow

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28. Which of these states does NOT constitute work-in-process inventory?

A. Any job that is waiting in line
B. Any job that has been completed and is awaiting pick-up by the customer
C. Any job that has finished at one work center and is being transported to the next
D. Any job that is being delayed between operations
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: WIP, work, process

29. Total inventory is equal to:

A. scheduled receipts plus on-hand inventories.
B. received orders minus scheduled receipts.
C. on-hand inventories plus received orders.
D. None of these is equal to total inventory.
Answer: a
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: total, inventory

30. The percent of work time productively spent by an employee or a machine is called:
A. activation.
B. efficiency.
C. effectiveness.
D. utilization.
Answer: d
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Easy
Keyword: utilization

31. Which one of the following approaches for scheduling customer demand would be appropriate for a
dentist?
A. Backlogs
B. Reservations
C. Service on demand
D. Appointments
Answer: d
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: appointment, customer, demand

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32. Which one of the following approaches for scheduling customer demand would be appropriate for a
fancy hotel?
A. Backlogs
B. Reservations
C. Service on demand
D. Appointments
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: customer, demand, reservations

33. Which of the following approaches for scheduling customer demand would be appropriate for a
grocery store?
A. Backlogs
B. Reservations
C. Service on demand
D. Appointments
Answer: a
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: customer, demand, backlog

34. A service provider assigns a specific time, usually upon receipt of a down payment, for service to a
customer with a(n):
A. backlog.
B. reservation.
C. service on demand.
D. appointment.
Answer: d
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: customer, demand, appointment

35. A specific time and a hotel room are assigned to a customer by a service provider using a(n):
A. backlog.
B. reservation.
C. service on demand.
D. appointment.
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: customer, demand, reservations

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36. A customer is given a due date for their product order with:
A. backlog.
B. reservation.
C. service on demand.
D. appointment.
Answer: a
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: customer, demand, backlog

37. The purpose of a rotating schedule is to:

A. assign each employee to work the same days and hours each week.
B. assign senior employees more opportunity to have weekends off.
C. deal with certain undesirable aspects of several individual workforce schedules.
D. make sure the legal constraints imposed on workforce schedules are satisfied.
Answer: c
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: rotating, schedule

38. The heuristic method for workforce scheduling in the text observes the constraint that each employee
must:
A. get Saturday and Sunday off.
B. get two consecutive days off.
C. be fully utilized.
D. have Saturday and Sunday off at least once per month.
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: heuristic, workforce, schedule

Scenario 16.1
Gable Express Co. provides delivery service seven days a week. The daily requirements (in
workers) are estimated as follows:

Each worker is required to work five days per week, and each must have two consecutive days
off.

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39. Use the information in Scenario 16.1. What is the minimum number of workers required if preference
is given to the pair S-SU in case of a tie in the selection of off days?
A. Fewer than eight workers
B. Eight workers
C. Nine workers
D. Greater than nine workers
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, schedule

40. Use the information in Scenario 16.1. How much total slack will be generated from the schedule?
A. Fewer than six days
B. Six days
C. Seven days
D. Greater than seven days
Answer: c
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, schedule, slack

Scenario 16.2
The daily requirements for highway patrol officers at Park City over the week are:

Each officer works five days a week and must have two consecutive days off.

41. Use the information in Scenario 16.2. What is the minimum number of officers required if preference
is given to the pair S-SU in case of a tie in the selection of off days?
A. 9
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12
Answer: c
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, schedule

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42. Use the information in Scenario 16.2. How much total slack is generated from the schedule?
A. Fewer than 9 days
B. 10 days
C. 11 days
D. Greater than 11 days
Answer: d
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: slack, workforce, schedule

Scenario 16.3
Bluebird University provides tutoring services for undergraduate students seven days a week.
The daily requirements for tutors are:

Each tutor works five days a week and must have two consecutive days off, according to the
contract.

43. Use the information in Scenario 16.3. What is the minimum number of tutors required if preference is
given to the pair S-SU in case of a tie in the selection off days?
A. Fewer than seven
B. Seven
C. Eight
D. Nine
Answer: b
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, schedule

44. Use the information in Scenario 16.3. How many days will have slack capacity?
A. Fewer than three
B. Three
C. Four
D. Greater than four
Answer: a
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, schedule, slack

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45. A manager interested in minimizing the maximum of the past-due hours in a particular group of jobs
should consider:
A. EDD.
B. SPT.
C. CR.
D. S/RO.
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, early, due

46. When using the critical ratio (CR) priority sequencing rule:
A. a ratio of less than 1.0 implies that the job is ahead of schedule.
B. a ratio of less than 1.0 implies the job is behind schedule.
C. the job with the earliest due date is scheduled next.
D. the job with the highest CR is scheduled next.
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: critical, ratio

47. Which of the following rules tends to perform well with respect to percentage of jobs past due and
variance of hours past due, but performs relatively poorly with respect to flow time, work-in-process
inventory, or utilization?
A. Earliest due date
B. Shortest processing time
C. First come, first served
D. Longest processing time
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, early, due

48. Which of the following rules tends to perform well with respect to mean flow time, work-in-process
inventory, and shop utilization, but produces a large variance in past-due hours?
A. Earliest due date
B. Shortest processing time
C. First come, first served
D. Longest processing time
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, shortest, process

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49. When choosing a priority sequencing rule:

A. select multiple-dimension rules because they dominate single-dimension rules for all performance
measures.
B. always select the rule that minimizes the amount of past-due jobs.
C. test a variety of rules before making a decision.
D. select CR or S/RO because they use more information.
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: priority, sequence

50. Determining a production sequence for a group of jobs in a two-station flow shop to minimize the
makespan has the advantage of:
A. maximizing the utilization of the shop.
B. minimizing the percentage of jobs past due.
C. minimizing the flow time of jobs on the first machine.
D. minimizing the variance of past-due hours.
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: utilization

Table 16.1
The framing department has six jobs waiting to be processed. It is now time zero and all jobs are
ready to begin. Each has only one operation remaining.

Job Processing Time Due Date

A 5 12
B 7 18
C 8 6
D 3 10
E 9 22
F 12 17

51. Using the information in Table 16.1 and the SPT rule, what is the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 19 days
B. Greater than 19 days but fewer than or equal to 21 days
C. Greater than 21 days but fewer than or equal to 23 days
D. Greater than 23 days
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, average, flow, shortest, process

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52. Using the information in Table 16.1 and the EDD rule, what is the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 19 days
B. Greater than 19 days but fewer than or equal to 21 days
C. Greater than 21 days but fewer than or equal to 23 days
D. Greater than 23 days
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, average, flow, early, due

53. Using the information in Table 16.1 and the EDD rule, what is the average total inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 3.1 jobs
B. Greater than 3.1 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.3 jobs
C. Greater than 3.3 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.5 jobs
D. Greater than 3.5 jobs
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, average, inventory, early, due

54. Using the information in Table 16.1 and the critical-ratio rule, what is the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 19 days
B. Greater than 19 days but fewer than or equal to 21 days
C. Greater than 21 days but fewer than or equal to 23 days
D. Greater than 23 days
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, average, flow, critical, ratio

55. Using the information in Table 16.1 and the slack-per-remaining-operations rule, what is the average
flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 19 days
B. Greater than 19 days but fewer than or equal to 21 days
C. Greater than 21 days but fewer than or equal to 23 days
D. Greater than 23 days
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, average, flow, slack, remaining, operations

56. Using the information in Table 16.1 and the C/R rule, what is the average total inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 3.4 jobs
B. Greater than 3.4 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.6 jobs
C. Greater than 3.6 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.8 jobs
D. Greater than 3.8 jobs
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, average, inventory, critical, ratio
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Table 16.2
Suppose that the following six jobs, listed in order of arrival, must
be scheduled through a car repair facility:

Job Process Time Due Date

A 23 42
B 13 19
C 7 33
D 18 61
E 29 46
F 11 30

57. Use the information in Table 16.2. Which one of the following jobs will be the first one completed if
scheduling is done using the critical-ratio rule?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: critical, ratio

58. Use the information in Table 16.2. Which one of the following jobs will be the first one completed if
scheduling is done using the SPT rule?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: SPT, shortest, process

59. Use the information in Table 16.2. Which one of the following jobs will be the last one completed if
scheduling is done using the critical-ratio rule?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: critical, ratio

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60. Use the information in Table 16.2. Which one of the following jobs will be the last one completed if
scheduling is done using the SPT rule?
A. C
B. D
C. E
D. F
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: SPT, shortest, process

61. Use the information in Table 16.2. Which one of the following jobs will be the first one completed if
scheduling is done using the earliest due date?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: EDD, early, due

62. Use the information in Table 16.2. Which one of the following jobs will be the last one completed if
scheduling is done using the EDD rule?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: EDD, early, due

Table 16.3
Six jobs are waiting at workstation 017; all the pertinent data are given in the following
table. The shop works eight hours per day. It is now time zero.
Job Process Time at Due Date Shop Time Remaining Ops
Station 017 Remaining
A 1 13 5 1
B 2 6 3 6
C 3.1 8 9 2
D 4.5 10 8 6
E 0.5 9 2 5
F 7 15 12 7

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63. Use the information in Table 16.3. According to the shortest-processing-time rule (SPT), which one
of the following sequences is most appropriate?
A. A–B–C–D–E–F
B. E–A–B–C–D–F
C. B–C–E–D–F–A
D. D–E–F–A–C–B
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, sequence, shortest, process

64. Use the information in Table 16.3. According to the slack-per-remaining-operations rule (S/RO),
which one of the following sequences is most appropriate?
A. A-D-B-F-E-C
B. C-D-F-B-E-A
C. A-B-D-E-C-F
D. D-F-B-A-C-E
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: S/RO, sequence, slack, remaining, operations

65. Use the information in Table 16.3. According to the critical ratio (CR) rule, which one of following
sequences is most appropriate?
A. F–A–D–B–E–C
B. D–B–F–E–A–C
C. A–B–D–F–E–C
D. C–D–F–B–A–E
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: C/R, sequence, critical, ratio

66. Use the information in Table 16.3. If the critical-ratio rule is used, what is the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 25 hours
B. Greater than 25 but fewer than or equal to 27 hours
C. Greater than 27 but fewer than or equal to 29 hours
D. Greater than 29 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, flow, critical, ratio

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67. Use the information in Table 16.3. If the critical-ratio rule is used, what is the average lateness?
A. Fewer than or equal to 12 hours
B. Greater than 12 but fewer than or equal to 14 hours
C. Greater than 14 but fewer than or equal to 16 hours
D. Greater than 16 hours
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, lateness, critical, ratio

68. Use the information in Table 16.3. If the SPT rule is used, what is the average past due?
A. Fewer than or equal to 5 hours
B. Greater than 5 but fewer than or equal to 7 hours
C. Greater than 7 but fewer than or equal to 9 hours
D. Greater than 9 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, lateness, shortest, process

69. Use the information in Table 16.3. If the EDD rule is used, what is the average past due?
A. Fewer than or equal to 9 hours
B. Greater than 9 but fewer than or equal to 11 hours
C. Greater than 11 but fewer than or equal to 13 hours
D. Greater than 13 hours
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, lateness, early, due

Table 16.4
Work center 1 has five jobs waiting to be processed.

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70. Using the information in Table 16.4 and the SPT rule, what is the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 9 hours
B. Greater than 9 hours but fewer than or equal to 10 hours
C. Greater than 10 hours but fewer than or equal to 11 hours
D. Greater than 11 hours
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, flow, shortest, process

71. Using the information in Table 16.4 and the SPT rule, what is the average total inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 2.75 jobs
B. Greater than 2.75 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.25 jobs
C. Greater than 3.25 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.75 jobs
D. Greater than 3.75 jobs
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, inventory, shortest, process

72. Using the information in Table 16.4 and the SPT rule, what is the average days past due?
A. Fewer than or equal to 3.0
B. Greater than 3.0 but fewer than or equal to 4.0
C. Greater than 4.0 but fewer than or equal to 5.0
D. Greater than 5.0
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, due, shortest, process

Table 16.5

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73. Use the information in Table 16.5. The operations sequence, using the slack-per-remaining-operations
rule, is:
A. 3–1–2
B. 3–2–1
C. 1–2–3
D. 2–3–1
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, sequence, slack, remaining, operations

74. Use the information in Table 16.5. The operations sequence, using the critical-ratio rule, is
A. 3–1–2
B. 3–2–1
C. 1–3–2
D. 2–3–1
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, sequence, critical, ratio

Table 16.6

75. Use the information in Table 16.6. What is the operation sequence at machine A, using the critical-
ratio rule?
A. 3–2–1
B. 2–3–1
C. 1–3–2
D. 2–1–3
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, sequence, critical, ratio

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76. Use the information in Table 16.6. What is the average flow time at machine A for the critical-ratio
rule?
A. Fewer than or equal to 8 hours
B. Greater than 8 hours but fewer than or equal to 9 hours
C. Greater than 9 hours but fewer than or equal to 10 hours
D. Greater than 10 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: flow, C/R, critical, ratio

Table 16.7
There are four jobs available for processing at machine A.

77. Using the information in Table 16.7 and the slack-per-remaining-operations (S/RO) rule, what is the
operation sequence?
A. A–B–C–D
B. A–C–D–B
C. C–D–B–A
D. D–C–B–A
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, sequence, slack, remaining, operations

78. Using the information in Table 16.7 and the S/RO rule, what is the average flow time at machine A?
A. Fewer than or equal to 14.0 hours
B. Greater than 14.0 but fewer than or equal to 14.5 hours
C. Greater than 14.5 but fewer than or equal to 15.0 hours
D. Greater than 15.0 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, flow, slack, remaining, operations

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79. Using the information in Table 16.7 and the critical-ratio (CR) rule, what is the operations sequence?
A. C–D–B–A
B. D–C–B–A
C. A–C–D–B
D. D–B–A–C
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, sequence, critical, ratio

80. Using the information in Table 16.7 and the CR rule, what is the average flow time at machine A?
A. Fewer than or equal to 14.0 hours
B. Greater than 14.0 but fewer than or equal to 14.5 hours
C. Greater than 14.5 but fewer than or equal to 15.0 hours
D. Greater than 15.0 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, flow, critical, ratio

Table 16.8
Auto Data produces custom engineering testing equipment. The following five orders are
currently in the design department:

Job Process Time Due Date

A 8 15
B 6 11
C 7 22
D 5 8
E 3 9
F 9 16

81. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the EDD rule, what is the average work-in-process
inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 2.0 jobs
B. Greater than 2.0 but fewer than or equal to 2.5 jobs
C. Greater than 2.5 but fewer than or equal to 3.0 jobs
D. Greater than 3.0 jobs
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, WIP, work, process, early, due

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82. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the SPT rule, what is the average work-in-process inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 2.0 jobs
B. Greater than 2.0 but fewer than or equal to 2.5 jobs
C. Greater than 2.5 but fewer than or equal to 3.0 jobs
D. Greater than 3.0 jobs
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, WIP, work, process, shortest, process

83. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the EDD rule, what is the average days of past due?
A. Fewer than or equal to 8.0 days
B. Greater than 8.0 days but fewer than or equal to 9.5 days
C. Greater than 9.5 but fewer than or equal to 11.0 days
D. Greater than 11.0 days
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, early, due

84. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the SPT rule, what is the average days of past due?
A. Fewer than or equal to 6.0 days
B. Greater than 6.0 days but fewer than or equal to 7.0 days
C. Greater than 7.0 days but fewer than or equal to 8.0 days
D. Greater than 8.0 days
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, shortest, process

85. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the critical ratio rule, what is the average work-in-process
inventory?
A. Greater than 3.0 jobs
B. Greater than 2.5 but fewer than or equal to 3.0 jobs
C. Greater than 2.0 but fewer than or equal to 2.5 jobs
D. Fewer than or equal to 2.0 jobs
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, WIP, work, process, early, due

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

86. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the slack per remaining operations rule, what is the average
work-in-process inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 3.0 jobs
B. Greater than 3.0 but fewer than or equal to 3.5 jobs
C. Greater than 3.5 but fewer than or equal to 4.0 jobs
D. Greater than 4.0 jobs
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, WIP, work, process, shortest, process

87. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the critical ratio rule, what is the average days of past due?
A. Fewer than or equal to 8.0 days
B. Greater than 8.0 days but fewer than or equal to 9.5 days
C. Greater than 9.5 but fewer than or equal to 11.0 days
D. Greater than 11.0 days
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, early, due

88. Using the information in Table 16.8 and the slack per remaining operations rule, what is the average
days of past due?
A. Greater than 10.0 days
B. Greater than 9.0 days but fewer than or equal to 10.0 days
C. Greater than 8.0 days but fewer than or equal to 9.0 days
D. Fewer than or equal to 8.0 days
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, shortest, process

89. Using the information in Table 16.8, what is the fewest number of late jobs possible?
A. No late jobs
B. One late job
C. Two late jobs
D. Three late jobs
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: late

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

Table 16.9
There are three jobs available for processing at machine 1.

90. Using the information in Table 16.9 and the slack-per-remaining-operations rule, what should be the
sequence of jobs processed at Machine 1?
A. A–B–C
B. B–C–A
C. C–B–A
D. B–A–C
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, sequence, slack, remaining, operations

91. Using the information in Table 16.9 and the critical-ratio rule, what should be the sequence of jobs
processed at Machine 1?
A. C–B–A
B. B–A–C
C. A–B–C
D. B–C–A
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, sequence, critical, ratio

92. Using the information in Table 16.9 and the shortest-processing-time rule, what will be the average
work-in-process inventory level at Machine 1?
A. Fewer than or equal to 1.6 jobs
B. Greater than 1.6 jobs but fewer than or equal to 2.0 jobs
C. Greater than 2.0 jobs but fewer than or equal to 2.4 jobs
D. Greater than 2.4 jobs
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, WIP, work, process, shortest, process

578
 Chapter 16  Scheduling

Table 16.10
A work center has the following six jobs waiting to be processed, as shown in the accompanying
table.

93. Using the information in Table 16.10 and the shortest-processing-time rule, what is the average total
inventory?
A. Fewer than or equal to 2.5 jobs
B. Greater than 2.5 jobs but fewer than or equal to 3.3 jobs
C. Greater than 3.3 jobs but fewer than or equal to 4.1 jobs
D. Greater than 4.1 jobs
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, inventory, shortest, process

94. Using the information in Table 16.10 and the earliest-due-date rule, what is the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 20 days
B. Greater than 20 days but fewer than or equal to 22 days
C. Greater than 22 days but fewer than or equal to 24 days
D. Greater than 24 days
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, flow, early, due

95. Using the information in Table 16.10 and the earliest-due-date rule, which job(s) will be completed
on or before their due dates?
A. F only
B. A and F only
C. B, A, and E only
D. E and B only
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, early, due

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

Table 16.11
Work center Q45 has four jobs waiting to be processed, as shown in the following table.
Assume the shop works eight hours per day.

96. Using the information in Table 16.11 and the slack-per-remaining-operations rule, what should be the
sequence of jobs processed at Q45?
A. D–C–A–B
B. A–B–C–D
C. D–A–C–B
D. B–C–A–D
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, sequence, slack, remaining, operations

97. Using the information in Table 16.11 and the shortest-processing-time rule, what should be the
sequence of jobs processed at Q45?
A. C–D–A–B
B. D–A–C–B
C. A–D–B–C
D. B–A–D–C
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, sequence, shortest, process

98. Using the information in Table 16.11 and the critical-ratio rule, what should be the sequence of jobs
processed at Q45?
A. A–B–C–D
B. D–A–C–B
C. D–C–B–A
D. B–C–A–D
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: sequence, C/R, critical, ratio

580
 Chapter 16  Scheduling

99. Using the information in Table 16.11 and the critical-ratio rule, what is the flow time of job B?
A. Fewer than or equal to 10 hours
B. Greater than 10 hours but fewer than or equal to 20 hours
C. Greater than 20 hours but fewer than or equal to 30 hours
D. Greater than 30 hours
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: C/R, flow, critical, ratio

Table 16.12
Consider the following problems in which six jobs must each be processed on two
machines starting with machine 1 and then going to machine 2. The following
processing times and due dates are in hours.
Job Machine 1 Machine 2 Due Date
A 7 5 15
B 3 8 18
C 1 8 11
D 2 7 6
E 3 1 23
F 9 4 19

100. Use the information in Table 16.12. What sequence would you use if you wanted to minimize
the makespan of the jobs?
A. A–C–E–B–D–F
B. B–F–D–E–C–A
C. C–F–A–E–B–D
D. C–D–B–A–F–E
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, makespan

101. Use the information in Table 16.12. What is the minimum makespan for completing all six
jobs?
A. Fewer than or equal to 30 hours
B. Greater than 30 but fewer than or equal to 33 hours
C. Greater than 33 but fewer than or equal to 36 hours
D. Greater than 36 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: makespan, Johnson

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

102. Use the information in Table 16.12. What is the minimum idle time possible on machine 2?
A. Less than or equal to 1 hour
B. Greater than one but fewer than or equal to three hours
C. Greater than three but fewer than or equal to five hours
D. Greater than five hours
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: idle, Johnson

103. Use the information in Table 16.12. Use Johnson’s algorithm to schedule the jobs. How long
does job B wait after finishing on Machine 1 before starting on Machine 2?
A. Fewer than or equal to 5 hours.
B. More than 5 hours but fewer than or equal to 10 hours
C. More than 10 hours but fewer than or equal to 15 hours
D. More than 15 hours but fewer than or equal to 20 hours
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, idle

104. Use the information in Table 16.12. What is the makespan if the jobs are processed in FCFS
order?
A. Fewer than or equal to 30 hours
B. Greater than 30 but fewer than or equal to 33 hours
C. Greater than 33 but fewer than or equal to 36 hours
D. Greater than 36 hours
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: FCFS, makespan, first, come, served

105. Use the information in Table 16.12. What is the average past due if the jobs are processed in the
order that minimizes the average flow time?
A. Fewer than or equal to 10 hours
B. Greater than 10 but fewer than or equal to 12 hours
C. Greater than 12 but fewer than or equal to 14 hours
D. Greater than 14 hours
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, lateness

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

Table 16.13
Professor Gable and his graduate assistant are grading student term papers. The graduate
assistant must first make a general evaluation and then Professor Gable makes the final grade
evaluation. There are four term papers to evaluate: W, X, Y, and Z. Because the length and
content differ, each paper will differ in evaluation time. The times, in hours, are estimated to
be:

106. Use the information in Table 16.13. What is the sequence in which the papers will be graded if
the professor and graduate assistant wish to minimize the total grading time?
A. W–X–Y–Z
B. Z–Y–W–X
C. Z–Y–X–W
D. Y–Z–W–X
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: sequence, Johnson

107. Use the information in Table 16.13. How much time will it take to grade all four papers? That
is, what is the makespan for this project?
A. Fewer than or equal to 22 hours
B. Greater than 22 but fewer than or equal to 23 hours
C. Greater than 23 but fewer than or equal to 24 hours
D. Greater than 24 hours
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: makespan, Johnson

583
 Chapter 16  Scheduling

Table 16.14
Gable Bakery has five cake orders to be processed today. Each cake has to go through the
baking and decorating processes. The baking and decorating times are estimated as follows:

108. Use the information in Table 16.14. In what sequence should the orders be processed to
minimize the total processing time?
A. 5–3–1–4–2
B. 3–5–4–1–2
C. 3–5–1–4–2
D. 5–1–4–3–2
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: Johnson

109. Use the information in Table 16.14. If all cakes are to be picked up at 11:00 a.m., what is the
latest time that Gable should start making these cakes?
A. 8:00 a.m.
B. 8:30 a.m.
C. 9:00 a.m.
D. 9:30 a.m.
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, due, date

Table 16.15
Consider the following problem in which four jobs must each be processed on two machines
starting with the cutting machine and then going to the painting machine. The following
processing times are available (in hours):

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

110. Use the information in Table 16.15. If the SPT rule is used to determine the sequence at the
cutting machine and the same sequence is also used at the painting machine, what is the makespan
through both machines?
A. Fewer than or equal to 32 hours
B. Greater than 32 hours but fewer than or equal to 34 hours
C. Greater than 34 hours but fewer than or equal to 36 hours
D. Greater than 36 hours
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, makespan, shortest, process

111. Use the information in Table 16.15. What is the average flow time for the cutting machine if the
SPT rule is used to determine the sequence?
A. Fewer than or equal to 13.0 hours
B. Greater than 13.0 hours but fewer than or equal to 13.5 hours
C. Greater than 13.5 hours but fewer than or equal to 14.0 hours
D. Greater than 14.0 hours
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: SPT, flow, shortest, process

112. Use the information in Table 16.15. What is the makespan through both machines if Johnson’s
rule is used?
A. Fewer than or equal to 30 hours
B. Greater than 30 hours but fewer than or equal to 32 hours
C. Greater than 32 hours but fewer than or equal to 34 hours
D. Greater than 34 hours
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: makespan, Johnson

113. Use the information in Table 16.15. Using Johnson’s rule, what is the average flow time for the
cutting machine?
A. Fewer than or equal to 17.0 hours
B. Greater than 17.0 hours but fewer than or equal to 17.5 hours
C. Greater than 17.5 hours but fewer than or equal to 18.0 hours
D. Greater than 18.0 hours
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: Johnson, flow

585
 Chapter 16  Scheduling

Table 16.16
Five jobs are currently waiting to be processed. Each job has to go through Machine 1 first and
then Machine 2 before it is completed. The processing times (in hours) for the five jobs on each
machine are:

114. Use the information in Table 16.16. What is the makespan through both machines if the SPT
rule is used to determine the sequence at Machine 1 and the same sequence is also used at Machine 2?
A. Fewer than or equal to 27 hours
B. Greater than 27 hours but fewer than or equal to 28 hours
C. Greater than 28 hours but fewer than or equal to 29 hours
D. Greater than 29 hours
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, makespan, shortest, process

115. Use the information in Table 16.16. What is the average flow time for Machine 1 if the SPT rule
is used to determine the sequence?
A. Fewer than or equal to 12.5 hours
B. Greater than 12.5 hours but fewer than or equal to 13.0 hours
C. Greater than 13.0 hours but fewer than or equal to 13.5 hours
D. Greater than 13.5 hours
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, flow, shortest, process

116. Use the information in Table 16.16. What is the makespan through both machines if Johnson’s
rule is used?
A. Fewer than or equal to 26 hours
B. Greater than 26 hours but fewer than or equal to 27 hours
C. Greater than 27 hours but fewer than or equal to 28 hours
D. Greater than 28 hours
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, makespan

586
 Chapter 16  Scheduling

117. Use the information in Table 16.16. Using Johnson’s rule, what is the average flow time for
Machine 1?
A. Fewer than or equal to 12.5 hours
B. Greater than 12.5 but fewer than or equal to 13.0 hours
C. Greater than 13.0 but fewer than or equal to 13.5 hours
D. Greater than 13.5 hours
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, flow

Table 16.17
A company must take on seven new projects. Each project has a planning stage and a design
stage, and the planning stage must be completed before the design stage can begin. Also, two
project teams are available to work on these projects: Team 1 works only on planning stages of
projects, and Team 2 works only on design stages of projects. The times to complete the project
stage, in days, are shown in the following table.
Job Team 1 Team 2
A 9 5
B 12 8
C 8 3
D 10 6
E 4 13
F 11 11
G 2 9

118. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s procedure, what is the sequence of projects
that minimizes makespan?
A. C-A-D-G-E-F-B
B. C-A-D-B-G-F-E
C. G-E-C-A-D-F-B
D. G-E-F-B-D-A-C
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, sequence

119. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s rule, on which day will project F be
completed?
A. Day 33 or earlier
B. Day 33–day 36
C. Day 37–day 40
D. Day 41 or later
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keyword: Johnson

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

120. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s rule, what is the makespan for these seven
jobs?
A. 58 days or greater
B. Greater than or equal to 55 days but less than 58 days
C. Greater than or equal to 52 days but less than 55 days
D. Less than 52 days
Answer: a
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: Johnson

121. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s rule, what is the average flow time (to the
nearest integer) for these seven jobs?
A. 41 days
B. 39 days
C. 37 days
D. 35 days
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: Johnson

122. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s rule, how much idle time does Team 2 have
from the start of the first project through completion of the seventh?
A. 2 days
B. 3 days
C. 4 days
D. 5 days
Answer: c
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: Johnson

123. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s rule, develop a schedule that minimizes
makespan for these seven jobs. Assume that job C could be neatly split into two equal parts, each
having half of the processing time on each machine as the full job C. Using your original sequence,
but splitting job C, what is the makespan for the seven jobs?
A. Between 58 and 59 days.
B. Between 56 and 57 days.
C. Between 55 and 56 days.
D. Between 57 and 58 days.
Answer: d
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keyword: Johnson

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

124. Using the information in Table 16.17 and Johnson’s rule, develop a schedule that minimizes
makespan for these seven jobs. Assume that job C could be neatly split into two equal parts, each
having half of the processing time on each machine as the full job C. Using your original sequence,
but splitting job C, what is the reduction in makespan for the seven jobs?
A. The schedule with job C split is almost a day longer.
B. The schedule with job C split is almost 2 days shorter.
C. The schedule with job C split is almost 2 days longer.
D. There is no difference between the makespan for the original schedule and that made with job C
split into two halves.
Answer: b
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keyword: Johnson

FILL IN THE BLANK

125. ____________ is the allocation of resources over time to accomplish specific tasks.
Answer: Scheduling
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: scheduling, resources

126. ____________ assigns customers to a definite time for order fulfillment.

Answer: Demand scheduling
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: demand, scheduling, customer

127. ____________ scheduling assigns jobs to machines or workers to jobs.

Answer: Operations
Reference: Introduction
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: operations, scheduling

128. ____________ is the amount of shop time for a job.

Answer: Job flow time
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: job, flow

129. ____________ is the total amount of time required to complete a group of jobs.
Answer: Makespan
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: makespan

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

130. ____________ is the amount of time by which a job missed its due date or the percentage of
total jobs processed over some period of time that missed their due dates.
Answer: Past due, Tardiness
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: past, due, tardiness

131. Any job that is waiting in line, moving from one operation to the next, being delayed for some
reason, or residing in a semifinished state is ____________.
Answer: work-in-process (WIP)
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: WIP, work-in-process, inventory

132. The sum of scheduled receipts for all items and the on-hand inventories for all items is
____________.
Answer: total inventory
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: total, inventory

133. ____________ is the percent of work time productively spent by an employee or a machine.
Answer: Utilization
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: utilization, productive

134. A(n) ____________ graphically displays the current status of each job or activity relative to its
scheduled completion date.
Answer: Gantt progress chart
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Gantt, progress, chart

135. The three methods commonly used to schedule customer demand are ____________,
____________, and ____________.
Answer: appointments, reservations, backlogs
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: customer, demand, appointment, reservation, backlog

136. A(n) ____________ schedule calls for each employee to work the same days and hours each
week.
Answer: fixed
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: fixed, schedule

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

137. A hospital must have a skeleton crew on hand during the undesirable work period from
midnight to 8 o’clock. One way to make sure that all employees have the opportunity to work this
shift is by adopting a(n) ____________.
Answer: rotating schedule
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: rotating, schedule

138. A(n) ____________ specializes in low- to medium-volume production using job or batch
processes.
Answer: job shop
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: job, shop

139. A(n) ____________ specializes in medium- to high-volume production and uses line or
continuous processes.
Answer: flow shop
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: flow, shop

140. ____________ specify the job processing sequence when several jobs are waiting in line at a
workstation.
Answer: Priority sequencing rules
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: priority, sequence

141. ____________ is a priority-sequencing rule that determines priority by dividing the difference
between the due date and today’s date less the processing time remaining by the number of
processing steps left to complete the job.
Answer: Slack per remaining operations (S/RO)
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: S/RO, priority, slack, remaining, operations

142. The ____________ is a priority-sequencing rule that is calculated by dividing the time
remaining until a job’s due date by the total shop time remaining for the job, including the setup,
processing, move, and expected waiting times of all remaining operations, including the operation
being scheduled.
Answer: critical ratio
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: critical, ratio

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 Chapter 16  Scheduling

143. ____________ is a priority-sequencing rule that specifies that the job that has the earliest due
date is the next job to be processed.
Answer: Earliest due date, EDD
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: EDD, early, due

144. ____________ is a priority-sequencing rule that specifies that the job that arrived at the
workstation first is given the highest priority.
Answer: First come, first served, FCFS
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: FCFS, priority, first, come, served

145. The shortest-processing-time rule tends to produce a large variance in ____________.

Answer: past-due time
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: SPT, variance, past, due, shortest, process

146. ____________ are a set of priority rules that apply to more than one aspect of a job.
Answer: Multiple-dimension rules
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: multiple, dimension

147. ____________ is a procedure that minimizes makespan in scheduling a group of jobs on two
workstations.
Answer: Johnson’s rule
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, makespan

148. In a(n) ____________ environment, the resource constraint is the amount of labor available, not
the number of machines or workstations.
Answer: labor-limited
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: labor, limited

149. A(n) ____________ seeks to optimize resources across the supply chain and align daily
operations with strategic goals.
Answer: advanced planning system, APS
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: APS, advanced, planning, system

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SHORT ANSWERS

150. How do Gantt charts assist schedulers in arriving at feasible schedules?

Answer: The progress chart shows the current status of jobs already in progress in the shop. The
machine chart shows the sequence of work scheduled at each machine. This chart can be used
to determine if a new job can be inserted in the schedule of any machine without disrupting
the progress of current jobs. In addition, the machine chart can be used to arrive at a different
schedule of the current jobs by trial-and-error.
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Gantt, chart

151. Why is job flow time an important measure of performance?

Answer: Minimizing job flow times in a schedule minimizes work-in-process inventory and
maximizes utilization of the shop. In addition, flow times are related to the lead times (or
cycle times) of products and have an influence on customer service.
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: job, flow

152. Why is makespan an important performance measure?

Answer: Minimizing the makespan of a group of jobs maximizes the utilization of the flow shop.
Also, makespan is important if all jobs are to be shipped to the same destination on the same
truck or rail car. All jobs must be completed before any of them can be shipped.
Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: makespan

153. How can a service provider schedule operations for the benefit of their customers and their own
utilization? What types of service processes (or customers) are well suited for each of the common
methods for scheduling service operations? What types are poorly suited for each of the common
methods for scheduling service operations?
Answer: Capacity, which can be in the form of employees or equipment, is crucial for service
providers as well as for manufacturers. One way to manage capacity is to schedule customers
for definite periods of order fulfillment. The three most commonly used methods are
appointments, reservations, and backlogs. Appointments and reservations are well-suited
when service demand can be anticipated, i.e. when non-emergency services are required.
Backlogs work well when service demand is unanticipated and is non-emergency.
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: service, schedule, backlog, appointment, reservation

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154. What are the capacity and process time requirements for a service provider to be able to meet
unanticipated customer demand as it occurs every time?
Answer: In order for a service provider to meet customer demand that has not (or cannot) be
scheduled or backlogged, the service provider must have infinite capacity and a process time
that is instantaneous. This would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve in practice.
Anything that a service provider can do to move to that extreme; flexible resources,
overbuying capacity, having the customer participate in the creation of the service, would
help in this regard or help create the illusion that demand was being met exactly as it
occurred.
Reference: Scheduling Customer Demand
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: service, capacity, process, job, time

155. What does an advanced planning system do and what are the functions of the major
components?
Answer: An advanced planning system (APS) optimizes resources across the supply chain and
aligns daily operations with strategic goals. The systems typically have these components:
demand planning, supply network planning, available-to-promise, and manufacturing
scheduling. The demand-planning module enables companies in a supply chain to share
demand forecasts. The supply-network planner contains optimization models based on linear
programming to make long-term decisions such as the number and location of plants and
distribution centers. The available-to-promise module checks the availability of components
and materials, enabling the firm to promise delivery. The manufacturing scheduling
component determines an optimal grouping and sequencing of manufacturing orders.
Reference: Scheduling Operations
Difficulty: Moderate
Keyword: APS

PROBLEMS

156.

Process
Job Time Due Time
A 2 7
B 8 16
C 4 4
D 10 17
E 5 15
F 12 18
Use the information in the preceding table and sequence the six jobs using FCFS, SPT, and EDD.
The jobs are listed in the order of their arrival. Calculate the average flow times, average
early times, average past due, and the average total inventory.

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Answer:
FCFS
Job Process Due Time
Time
A 2 7
B 8 16
C 4 4
D 10 17
E 5 15
F 12 18
Average Flow = 20
Average Early Time = 1.83
Average Past Due = 9
Average Inventory = 2.93

SPT
Job Process Due Time
Time
A 2 7
C 4 4
E 5 15
B 8 16
D 10 17
F 12 18
Average Flow = 18
Average Early Time = 1.50
Average Past Due = 6.67
Average Inventory = 2.63
EDD
Job Process Due
Time TIme
C 4 4
A 2 7
E 5 15
B 8 16
D 10 17
F 12 18
Average Flow = 18.33
Average Early Time = 0.83
Average Past Due = 6.33
Average Inventory = 2.68

Reference: Operations Scheduling

Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: FCFS, SPT, EDD

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157.

Process
Job Time Due Date
A 5 7
B 9 5
C 7 9
D 2 3
E 3 4
F 8 8

Use the information in the preceding table and sequence the six jobs using SPT, EDD, and critical
ratio. Calculate the average flow times, average early times, average past due, average WIP
inventory, and the average total inventory. It is now time zero.
Answer:
SPT
Process
Job Time Due Date
D 2 3
E 3 4
A 5 7
C 7 9
F 8 8
B 9 5
Average Flow = 15.50
Average Early Time = 0.17
Average Past Due = 9.67
Average Inventory = 2.74

EDD
Job Process Due Date
Time
D 2 3
E 3 4
B 9 5
A 5 7
F 8 8
C 7 9
Average Flow = 16.83
Average Early Time = 0.17
Average Past Due = 11
Average Inventory = 2.97

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Critical Ratio
Process
Job Time Due Date
B 9 5
D 2 3
E 3 4
A 5 7
C 7 9
F 8 8
Average Flow = 23.83
Average Early Time = 0
Average Past Due = 17.83
Average Inventory = 4.21

Reference: Operations Scheduling

Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, shortest, processing, EDD, critical, ratio, flow, inventory, WIP

158.
Operation Time to Number of Shop Time
Time at Due Date Operations Remaining
Job (hours) (weeks) Remaining (weeks)
A 5 30 2 10
B 2 10 1 5
C 9 12 3 5
D 16 25 2 20
E 12 45 4 22

Use the information in the preceding table and sequence the five jobs using FCFS, SPT, EDD,
S/RO, and CR. Calculate the average flow times, average early times, average past due,
average WIP inventory, and the average total inventory.

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Answer:

FCFS: SPT: EDD: S/RO: CR:

Start Flow Start Flow Start Flow Start Flow Start Flow
Job Time Time Job Time Time Job Time Time Job Time Time Job Time Time
A 0 5 B 0 2 B 0 2 C 0 9 D 0 16
B 5 7 A 2 7 C 2 11 D 9 25 B 16 18
C 7 16 C 7 16 D 11 27 B 25 27 E 18 30
D 16 32 E 16 28 A 27 32 E 27 39 C 30 39
E 32 44 D 28 44 E 32 44 A 39 44 A 39 44
FCFS: SPT: EDD: S/RO: CR:
Average Flow Times 20.8 19.4 23.2 29.4 28.8
Average Early Time 5.8 9.6 2.0 4.8 1.8
Average Past Due 2.2 4.6 0.8 9.8 6.2
Average WIP Inv. 2.4 2.2 2.6 3.3 3.3
Average Total Inv. 3.0 3.3 2.8 3.9 3.5
Reference: Operations Scheduling
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: SPT, EDD, S/RO, flow, WIP

159. Consider the following problems in which four jobs must each be processed on two machines
starting with Machine A and then going to Machine B. The following processing times are available
(in hours):

Job Processing Time Processing Time

Machine A Machine B
A 1 5
B 8 2
C 3 9
D 7 7
What is the minimum makespan for this group of jobs? Depict it graphically using a Gantt chart.

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Answer:
The optimal sequence using Johnson’s rule is A–C–D–B, with a makespan of 24.
Time
10 20 30
Machine

A A C D B

B A C D B

Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes

Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, makespan, Gantt

160. Lee Beedo, a hip bachelor in Edmond, has a date for Saturday night and finds himself without a
thing to wear. Faced with the daunting task of doing enough laundry to fully accessorize during his
night out, Lee has sorted his clothes into loads according to fabric and color. Based on his vast
experience doing laundry, Lee knows how long each load will take in both the washer and the dryer.
He glances at his watch; it is now 2:00 p.m. and he has to have the last load dry by 8:30 p.m. to be
there in time. Help Lee develop a schedule that will enable him to make his date on time and depict
that schedule using a Gantt chart. Can he make it and, if so, by how much?

Load Wash Time (hrs.) Dry Time (hrs.)

Polyesters 0.50 0.75
Leathers 2.00 1.50
Whites 0.75 1.25
Unmentionables 1.00 1.25
Silks 0.50 0.25

Answer:
The optimal sequence using Johnson’s rule is P-W-U-L-S with a makespan of 6 hours, so he can
make it with 30 minutes to spare.

Wash Wash Dry Dry

Sequence Load Start Done Start Done
1 Polyesters 0.0 0.50 0.50 1.25
2 Whites 0.50 1.25 1.25 2.50
3 Unmentionables 1.25 2.25 2.50 3.75
4 Leathers 2.25 4.25 4.25 5.75
5 Silks 4.25 4.75 5.75 6.00

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Reference: Scheduling Service and Manufacturing Processes

Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: Johnson, Gantt

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161. Jim’s Restaurant operates seven days a week. The daily requirements (in workers) are
estimated as follows:
M T W Th F S Su
Base Requirements 3 4 4 5 7 7 5

Each worker is required to work five days per week, and each must have two consecutive days
off. What is the minimum number of workers needed? Provide the days off that each worker
receives.
Answer:

M T W Th F S Su
Base
Requirements 3 4 4 5 7 7 5

Employee 1 3 4 4 5 7 7 5 Employee gets M/T off.

Employee 2 3 4 3 4 6 6 4 Employee gets M/T off.
Employee gets W/Th
Employee 3 3 4 2 3 5 5 4 off.
Employee 4 2 3 2 3 4 4 3 Employee gets M/T off.
Employee gets W/Th
Employee 5 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 off.
Employee 6 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 Employee gets S/Su off.
Employee 7 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 Employee gets M/T off.
Employee gets W/Th
Employee 8 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 off.
Reference: Scheduling Employees
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: schedule, workforce

162. Wally’s Bar operates seven days a week. The daily requirements (in workers) are
estimated as follows:
M T W Th F S Su
Base Requirements 2 3 5 4 5 4 4

Each worker is required to work five days per week, and each must have two consecutive days
off. What is the minimum number of workers needed? Provide the days off that each worker
receives.
Answer:

M T W Th F S Su
Base
Requirements 2 3 5 4 5 4 4

Employee 1 2 3 5 4 5 4 4 Employee gets M/T off.

Employee 2 2 3 4 3 4 3 3 Employee gets M/T off.
Employee 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 Employee gets S/Su off.
Employee 4 1 2 2 1 2 2 3 Employee gets M/T off.
Employee gets W/Th
Employee 5 1 2 1 0 1 1 2 off.
Employee 6 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 Employee gets S/Su off.

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Reference: Scheduling Employees

Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, scheduling

163. Consider this list of jobs that all require processing first on machine 1 and then on machine 2.
Develop a schedule that minimizes average flow time and calculate this flow time. Now assume that
each job can be split into two jobs, each having half the duration on both machine 1 and machine 2.
Using the original sequence that minimized average flow time, calculate the flow times for all split
jobs What is the effect of this new schedule on the average flow time for these split jobs?
Job Machine 1 Machine 2
1 14 6
2 11 12
3 16 14
4 12 8
5 22 9
6 13 15
7 10 12
8 8 13

Answer: The original sequence and schedule are pictured below:

Job Machine 1 Machine 2 Done 1 Done 2
8 8 13 8 21
7 10 12 18 33
2 11 12 29 45
6 13 15 42 60
3 16 14 58 74
5 22 9 80 89
4 12 8 92 100
1 14 6 106 112
The average flow time is 66.75.

Splitting each task into equal halves (Job 1 becomes Job 1a and Job 1b, etc.) results in this schedule:
Job Machine 1 Machine 2 Done 1 Done 2
8b 4 6.5 4 10.5
8a 4 6.5 8 17
7b 5 6 13 23
7a 5 6 18 29
2b 5.5 6 23.5 35
2a 5.5 6 29 41

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6b 6.5 7.5 35.5 48.5

6a 6.5 7.5 42 56
3a 8 7 50 63
3b 8 7 58 70
5a 11 4.5 69 74.5
5b 11 4.5 80 84.5
4a 6 4 86 90
4b 6 4 92 96
1a 7 3 99 102
1b 7 3 106 109
The average flow time is 62.8125, a savings of about 4. (If you consider each half job to have its own
completion time then the average flow time drops to 59.31, a saving of about 7.4.)

Reference: Operations Scheduling

Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: workforce, scheduling

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