A queue is the number of hours that a work order sits in front of a work center before it starts.  It also includes the move time required to physically move partially completed items from the previous operation to the next work center 1 .  A queue is used to provide a buffer between the time that a component arrives at a machine or work center and when the operation actually starts 2 .  A queue can help to neutralize delays in previous operations and to reduce the waiting time and flow time of the work orders 3 .

An order that moves into a work center on schedule following completion of a previous operation will move into the queue in priority sequence. This means that the order will be placed in the queue according to its priority level, which is determined by the priority control technique used for the production system.  A priority control technique is a method of determining the sequence and timing of production orders in a manufacturing system 4 . Some examples of priority control techniques are first-come, first-served (FCFS), shortest processing time (SPT), earliest due date (EDD), and critical ratio (CR). Depending on the priority control technique, an order may move to the beginning, end, or middle of the queue.

An order will not necessarily move to the end or the beginning of the queue, as these positions depend on the priority level of the order and the other orders in the queue. An order will not move into the queue when there is capacity available, as this implies that there is no queue at all.  Capacity is the amount of time or resources available for production at a work center 5 . Capacity can be affected by factors such as machine availability, labor skills, setup time, and maintenance.  Capacity planning is a function of determining and adjusting the optimal level of resources needed to meet the demand 5 .

 Staging in a manual system corresponds to dispatching in a computer system.  Staging is the process of preparing and moving materials or components to the point of use or consumption in a production system 1 .  Staging can be done manually by workers who physically move the items from storage areas to workstations, or automatically by conveyors, robots, or other devices 2 .  Dispatching is the process of authorizing and releasing work orders or tasks to the production system 3 .  Dispatching can be done manually by supervisors who assign work to workers, or automatically by computer systems that use algorithms or rules to prioritize and schedule work 4 . Both staging and dispatching are functions that facilitate the flow of materials and information in a production system and ensure that the right items are available at the right time and place.

References : CPIM Part 2 Exam Content Manual, Domain 6: Plan, Manage, and Execute Detailed Schedules, Section 6.1: Detailed Scheduling Concepts and Tools, p. 75-76;  Staging (manufacturing) - Wikipedia ;  Staging - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics ;  Dispatching - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics ;  Dispatching: Meaning, Objectives, Importance and Procedure .

The break-even point is the level of sales or output where the total revenue equals the total cost, and the profit is zero. The break-even point can be calculated in units or in dollars. To calculate the break-even point in units, the following formula can be used:

Break-even point in units = Fixed cost / (Selling price per unit - Variable cost per unit)

In this case, the fixed cost is $120,000, the selling price per unit is $20, and the variable cost per unit is $5. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

Break-even point in units = 120,000 / (20 - 5) = 120,000 / 15 = 8,000

Therefore, the break-even point in units for Product X is 8,000. This means that the company needs to sell 8,000 units of Product X to cover its fixed and variable costs and make no profit or loss.

References : CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 8: Manage Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Technology, Section 8.1: Develop Quality and Continuous Improvement Plans, Subsection 8.1.2: Describe how to develop a business case for quality and continuous improvement initiatives (page 74).

Production activity control (PAC) is the function of managing the flow of materials and work-in-progress in a manufacturing system. PAC is responsible for executing the master production schedule and the material requirements plan, as well as for planning, implementing, and monitoring the production activities. PAC aims to ensure that the required resources are available, that the production orders are released and completed on time, and that the quality and quantity standards are met. A result of effective PAC is that the actual input/output matches the planned input/output. This means that the actual amount and timing of materials, labor, and machines used for production are consistent with the planned amount and timing. This indicates that the production process is efficient, reliable, and synchronized with the demand. This also helps to reduce inventory, lead time, and waste.

The other options are not necessarily results of effective PAC. Less scrap and rework on the shop floor may be a result of effective quality control, which is a separate function from PAC. Quality control is concerned with inspecting and testing the products or services to ensure that they meet the specifications and standards. Fewer machine hours are required for production may be a result of effective process improvement, which is a separate function from PAC. Process improvement is concerned with analyzing and enhancing the production methods and techniques to increase productivity and performance. Available capacity is increased may be a result of effective capacity planning, which is a separate function from PAC. Capacity planning is concerned with determining and adjusting the optimal level of resources needed to meet the demand.  References :  Production Activity Control - Tutorial ;  Production Control: Process, Types and Best Practices - ProjectManager ;  Production control - Wikipedia .

 A work cell layout is a type of process layout that arranges equipment and workers according to the sequence of operations performed on a product or service. A work cell layout can improve space utilization by reducing the amount of floor space needed for production, eliminating unnecessary material handling and storage, and increasing the flexibility of the layout. A work cell layout can also reduce cycle time, improve quality, and enhance worker motivation.  References : CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 6: Plan, Manage, and Execute Detailed Schedules, Section 6.2: Implement Detailed Schedules, Subsection 6.2.3: Describe the principles of work center design and layout (page 58).