AQA · GCSE · Business

    Course version: 8132 · Version from Sept 2017

    Students should be familiar with job and flow production methods and…

    Full specification wording

    Production processes: Students should be familiar with job and flow production methods and understand when each is appropriate.

    Job production makes bespoke items one at a time, with each unit completed before the next begins.

    Checked against the AQA 8132 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 2 of 8
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Job production makes bespoke items one at a time, with each unit completed before the next begins. Flow production makes large volumes of identical items continuously on a line, using standardised parts and often automation. Job production suits unique, low-volume, high-value goods such as wedding cakes or custom furniture, where flexibility and craftsmanship matter. Flow production suits mass markets with stable demand, such as bottled water or cars, where speed and low unit cost matter. Appropriateness depends on volume, customisation, cost, lead time and available technology. For example, a small bakery making celebration cakes uses job production; a drinks factory filling thousands of identical bottles per hour uses flow production. Neither method is universally better; the choice must match the product and market.

    What earns the marks

    • Defines job production as making one bespoke product at a time, with each item completed before the next starts.
    • Defines flow production as continuous, high-volume output of identical products on a production line.
    • Explains that job production is appropriate for unique, low-volume, high-value products where customer requirements vary.
    • Explains that flow production is appropriate for standardised, high-volume products with stable demand.
    • Compares the two methods using criteria such as unit cost, flexibility, lead time, capital equipment and labour skill.
    • Applies the methods to a given business context and justifies which method is more appropriate.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing job production with batch production.

      Put it right: Job production makes one unique item at a time, whereas batch production makes groups of identical items.

    • Assuming flow production is always cheaper.

      Put it right: It requires high volume and large capital investment, so unit cost may be high if demand is low.

    • Ignoring the product type.

      Put it right: A bespoke product cannot usually be made by flow production because each item differs.

    Exam tips

    • When asked which method is appropriate, name the method and give a reason linked to the product's volume, customisation or cost.
    • Use comparative language such as 'whereas' or 'unlike' to show the difference between job and flow production.
    • Apply the method to the business in the case study rather than describing production methods in general.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Production processes: Students should be familiar with job and flow production methods and understand when each is appropriate. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which production method involves making a single, unique product to meet a specific customer's requirements?

    Listen

    Job production makes bespoke items one at a time, with each unit completed before the next begins. Flow production makes large volumes of identical items continuously on a line, using standardised parts and often automation. Job production suits unique, low-volume, high-value goods such as wedding cakes or custom furniture, where flexibility and craftsmanship matter. Flow production suits mass markets with stable demand, such as bottled water or cars, where speed and low unit cost matter. Appropriateness depends on volume, customisation, cost, lead time and available technology. For example, a small bakery making celebration cakes uses job production; a drinks factory filling thousands of identical bottles per hour uses flow production. Neither method is universally better; the choice must match the product and market. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Defines job production as making one bespoke product at a time, with each item completed before the next starts. Defines flow production as continuous, high-volume output of identical products on a production line. Explains that job production is appropriate for unique, low-volume, high-value products where customer requirements vary. Explains that flow production is appropriate for standardised, high-volume products with stable demand. Exam tip: When asked which method is appropriate, name the method and give a reason linked to the product's volume, customisation or cost.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart with two branches. The left branch starts at a node labelled Job production, which leads to Bespoke items one at a time, then to Each unit completed before the next begins. Job production also leads to Suits unique, low-volume, high-value goods, which leads to Flexibility and craftsmanship matter. The right branch starts at a node labelled Flow production, which leads to Large volumes of identical items continuously on a line, then to Standardised parts and often automation. Flow production also leads to Suits mass markets with stable demand, which leads to Speed and low unit cost matter. A final node at the bottom reads Appropriateness depends on volume, customisation, cost, lead time and available technology.
    It contrasts job production and flow production, showing what each method involves and when each is appropriate.

    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.

    Flow production

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Appropriateness

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Customisation versus standardisation

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Job production
    Making one bespoke product at a time, with each item completed before the next starts.
    Flow production
    Continuous, high-volume output of identical products on a production line, using standardised parts and often automation.
    Appropriateness
    Whether a production method suits a product and market, depending on volume, customisation, cost, lead time and available technology.
    Customisation versus standardisation
    Job production suits unique products where customer requirements vary, whereas flow production suits standardised products with stable demand.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart with two branches. The left branch starts at a node labelled Job production, which leads to Bespoke items one at a time, then to Each unit completed before the next begins. Job production also leads to Suits unique, low-volume, high-value goods, which leads to Flexibility and craftsmanship matter. The right branch starts at a node labelled Flow production, which leads to Large volumes of identical items continuously on a line, then to Standardised parts and often automation. Flow production also leads to Suits mass markets with stable demand, which leads to Speed and low unit cost matter. A final node at the bottom reads Appropriateness depends on volume, customisation, cost, lead time and available technology.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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