CPIM Practice Exam

What is a disadvantage of using work cells?

1. Increased labor costs

2. Greater need for worker training

3. Larger batch sizes

4. Reduced flexibility in production

The correct answer is: Greater need for worker training

Using work cells involves organizing workstations around a product or process, which can lead to many advantages, such as improved efficiency and reduced cycle times. However, one notable disadvantage is the greater need for worker training. In a work cell setup, workers must often be trained on multiple tasks or jobs since they may rotate through different stations within the cell. This cross-training is essential for maintaining flexibility and ensuring that the cell can operate smoothly if one worker is absent or if demand changes. Consequently, this need for comprehensive training can require time and resources, which might not be necessary in more traditional layouts where workers specialize in fewer tasks. In contrast, while increased labor costs may arise from this setup, it is not inherently a disadvantage as the overall productivity may offset these costs. Larger batch sizes contradict the principle of work cells, which typically promote smaller, more efficient batch production. Finally, reduced flexibility in production is the opposite of what work cells aim to achieve, as they generally allow for more adaptable manufacturing processes.