Operations Management is a fascinating subject matter and includes concepts ranging from productivity to quality and global business competitiveness. Students need to develop their understanding of the discourse and build on their vocabulary to fully understand the discipline of Industrial Engineering (IE). According to Stevenson (2015:605) a lean operation is a flexible system that uses minimal resources and produces high quality goods and services. The ultimate goal of lean is a balanced system, that is, one that achieves smooth, rapid flow of materials and or work through the system (Stevenson, 2012:609). This assignment will require the following of the student:

Stevenson, W.J. 2015. Operations Management: Theory and Practice. 12th edition, New York:

McGraw-Hill Irwin

A: Define the following terms from the case study:

1) Continuous improvement 2) Lean manufacturing systems (or lean manufacturing) and

3) Waste (in the lean context) 4) Pareto theory

5) Industry 4.0

B: Discuss in your own words the role of the Industrial Engineer (IE) in ensuring an effective continuous improvement, lean manufacturing strategy with an industry 4.0 mind-set. (Give me your views / perspectives on the topic). (You may use the case study to provide context, but reference correctly.)