Kathy and Tim spearheaded a small$-$scale operation, called Muse Displays, focusing on crafting bespoke in$-$store displays for retailers, supported by a team of $10-15$ employees. Their dedication to the craft yielded custom$-$made, high$-$quality display units tailored precisely to the unique needs of their retail clients. Despite their hard work and commitment, the business barely managed to stay afloat, and vacations had been out of the question for over a decade. The orders they received were complex, necessitating meticulous craftsmanship and distinctive features tailored to each project. To keep overheads low, the team was kept small, mainly consisting of apprentices, except for John, a master craftsman. John's expertise was critical for the execution of the most intricate projects, making him an indispensable part of the team. His involvement was necessary for ensuring that each custom display was completed to perfection, often requiring multiple adjustments and finetuning. They identified John as the constraint in their in$-$store display manufacturing process. What should be Kathy and Tim's next step according to TOC?

a$)$ Lay off other employees to cut costs further.

b$)$ Increase the prices of their custom in$-$store displays to boost profits.

c$)$ Make full use of John's time and expertise to ensure he is working as efficiently as possible on the tasks that only he can perform.

d$)$ Force John to work longer hours to complete more orders.

What is Kathy and Tim's subsequent step to further improve their in$-$store display manufacturing process?

a$)$ Expand their business by entering new markets.

b$)$ Review and adjust the entire production process so that it supports the most efficient use of John's time, without causing delays in other parts of the process.

c$)$ Immediately hire more employees to take over John's responsibilities.

d$)$ Focus solely on marketing efforts to ensure a continuous flow of orders.

Which of the following benefits is directly associated with the speed of FLOW of materials and information through a system?

a$)$ Decreased market demand.

b$)$ Increased service consistency and reliability

c$)$ Increased need for large inventories

d$)$ Increased ancillary and$/$or unnecessary expenses

What does W$.$ Edwards Deming identify as a critical component for improvement?

a$)$ Investment in technology

b$)$ Appreciation for a system

c$)$ Focus on short$-$term gains.

d$)$ Reduction in workforce

In education, limiting the content that can be covered in a course or the duration of lectures can be considered:

a$)$ An Artificial Constraint

b$)$ A Marketing Constraint

c$)$ A Resource Constraint

d$)$ A Supplier Constraint