ASB 2416 OPERATIONS STRATEGY SAMPLE QUESTIONS FROM PAST PAPERS Q1 In many countries, public bodies and private organisations have set up mass vaccination facilities, specifically to address the needs of populations to have protection against COVID- 19 (or any other major threat to the health of large numbers of people). With your knowledge of Operations Strategy, you have been asked to advise on layout of the facility and the level of staffing required to ensure that minimal queueing is required. Describe the techniques you would use to design the layout of the interior of the building and quantify the level of staff required, including for registration, delivering actual vaccination, and ensuring a smooth flow of people receiving the vaccine through the process. Q2 Recruiting and keeping talented people means understanding and implementing the right balance between staffs' individual needs, the business's requirement to control its costs, and the customers' expectation of excellent service. A survey of employees' views at a leading bank showed that one of their main concerns was trying to balance the job with outside commitments, such as family and leisure. What seem to be the main advantages and potential disadvantages of flexible working for staff, the company, and customers? How can a major commercial organisation try and overcome any clashes between the requirements of staff, the business and customers? Q3 There has been a rapid growth in online commerce in major economies, and this has been accelerated by the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic. This in turn has led to rapid developments in warehousing and distribution centres. Identify and evaluate the impact of a range of technologies now being employed in these facilities. Demonstrate how emerging technologies could lead to further changes in such operations.