Quality Function Deployment $($QFD$)$ is used primarily for:A$.$ Reducing lead times.B$.$ Aligning customer requirements with product design.C$.$ Maximizing production output.D$.$ Minimizing defect rates.A critical path in project management represents:A$.$ The shortest route between two project milestones.B$.$ The sequence of tasks that determines the project's duration.C$.$ The path with the most number of tasks.D$.$ The tasks with the highest resource utilization.The concept of "Bottleneck" in operations management refers to:A$.$ A process step that limits the overall capacity of the system.B$.$ Excessive waste in production.C$.$ A tool used for quality control.D$.$ A type of quality defect.Which of the following is NOT a primary function of production planning and control?A$.$ Resource allocationB. Demand forecastingC. Inventory managementD. Financial accountingA service blueprint is used primarily to:A$.$ Design a new product.B$.$ Map out the customer experience in service operations.C$.$ Monitor employee performance.D$.$ Conduct market research.The ABC classification system in inventory management is based on:A$.$ Alphabetical order of items.B$.$ Value and usage frequency of items.C$.$ Production batch sizes.D$.$ Cost of goods sold $($COGS$).$Which of the following is NOT a typical method for managing quality in operations?A$.$ Statistical Process Control $($SPC$)$B$.$ Failure Mode and Effects Analysis $($FMEA$)$C$.$ Customer Relationship Management $($CRM$)$D$.$ Root Cause Analysis $($RCA$)$A "Kaizen" event in Lean Manufacturing refers to:A$.$ A sudden increase in production output.B$.$ A team$-$based improvement activity.C$.$ Inventory management technique.D$.$ A type of quality audit.The $"5$ Whys$"$ technique is primarily used for:A$.$ Analyzing root causes of problems.B$.$ Calculating process capability indices.C$.$ Scheduling production activities.D$.$ Conducting market research.Which of the following is NOT a typical criterion for selecting a supplier in supply chain management?A$.$ CostB. QualityC. Proximity to the marketD. Size of the supplier's headquartersThe concept of "Mass Customization" aims to:A$.$ Maximize production output.B$.$ Offer standardized products to a wide audience.C$.$ Customize products efficiently at mass$-$production costs.D$.$ Minimize customer interaction in product design.A "Poka$-$Yoke" device is used primarily for:A$.$ Training employees in Lean principles.B$.$ Reducing errors or defects in a process.C$.$ Tracking production metrics.D$.$ Controlling inventory levels.Which of the following is NOT a core element of the "House of Quality" in Quality Function Deployment?A$.$ Customer requirementsB. Competitive benchmarkingC. Technical featuresD. Cost analysis