Question

Discuss how failures can be prevented and how operations can mitigate the effects of failure??

Answer 1

Failures can be prevented when redundancy is eliminated,  process steps are streamlined, bottlenecks are resolved and wastes are eliminated. The failure takes place, due to improper planning, inefficient organization and lack of quality checks at the critical point. It causes operations to get completed without proper quality checks and later on, failure is identified. The failures can be prevented with the effective implementation of quality management programs. For example, with implementation of six sigma and lean program, different types of wastes are eliminated and process is streamlined. It brings down the number of failures initially, and later with proper implementation of quality assurance, the failure is eliminated up to the six sigma acceptable level.

Even if the failure is created, then its impact will be mitigated using the proper operations management in the organization. Operations will help to streamline the process and make arrangements to increase productivity and efficiency. A higher productivity and efficiency lead to the savings in cost that cover the losses taking place due to the failure. As a result, the impact of the failure is reduced.