AQA · GCSE · Business
Course version: 8132 · Version from Sept 2017
Production processes: Methods of production:
Methods of production describe how a business organises its resources to make goods or deliver services.
Checked against the AQA 8132 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 8
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Methods of production describe how a business organises its resources to make goods or deliver services. Job production makes one bespoke item at a time, such as a tailored suit. Batch production makes groups of identical items, such as a bakery producing trays of rolls. Flow production makes large volumes continuously on a production line, such as bottled drinks. Each method affects unit cost, flexibility, lead time and quality consistency. Job production suits unique, low-volume work; batch balances variety and scale; flow maximises efficiency for standardised products. Choosing a method depends on demand, product type, available technology and cost targets. The method also influences staffing, stock levels and capacity planning.
What earns the marks
- Define job production as making a single bespoke product, often to customer specification.
- Define batch production as making a set quantity of identical items before switching to another batch.
- Define flow production as continuous, large-scale output of standardised products.
- Compare methods by unit cost, flexibility, lead time and quality consistency.
- Recommend a suitable method for a given business context using demand, product type and cost targets.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Calling any repeated production flow production.
Put it right: Flow production is continuous and highly standardised, while batch production makes groups of items with breaks between batches.
Assuming job production is always cheap.
Put it right: Job production often has high unit costs because it is labour-intensive and lacks economies of scale.
Ignoring the link between method and capacity.
Put it right: The chosen method must match expected demand and available resources.
Exam tips
- Name the method and give a specific product example to show understanding.
- Use comparative language such as higher unit cost or greater flexibility when discussing methods.
- For a recommendation, weigh the method against the business's demand, product and cost targets.
Try the lesson
The start of the Production processes: Methods of production: lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which method of production makes one bespoke item at a time to meet a specific customer's requirements?
Listen
Methods of production describe how a business organises its resources to make goods or deliver services. Job production makes one bespoke item at a time, such as a tailored suit. Batch production makes groups of identical items, such as a bakery producing trays of rolls. Flow production makes large volumes continuously on a production line, such as bottled drinks. Each method affects unit cost, flexibility, lead time and quality consistency. Job production suits unique, low-volume work; batch balances variety and scale; flow maximises efficiency for standardised products. Choosing a method depends on demand, product type, available technology and cost targets. The method also influences staffing, stock levels and capacity planning. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Define job production as making a single bespoke product, often to customer specification. Define batch production as making a set quantity of identical items before switching to another batch. Define flow production as continuous, large-scale output of standardised products. Compare methods by unit cost, flexibility, lead time and quality consistency. A common slip: Calling any repeated production flow production. Instead, flow production is continuous and highly standardised, while batch production makes groups of items with breaks between batches. Exam tip: Name the method and give a specific product example to show understanding.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Job production
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Batch production
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Flow production
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Job production
- Making a single bespoke product at a time, often to customer specification.
- Batch production
- Making a set quantity of identical items before switching to another batch.
- Flow production
- Continuous, large-scale output of standardised products on a production line.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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