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5.2 Operations methods

5.2 Production methods

Learning outcomes

Production refers to the output of a good or the provision of a service. There are four main methods of production (or operations methods) specified in the IB Business Management syllabus:

  • Job production
  • Batch production
  • Mass (flow) production
  • Mass customization 
Teacher only box

Note to teachers

Please be aware of the following changes to the new guide (first exams 2024):

  1. Terminology for this unit has changed from "production methods" to "operations methods".
  2. "Cellular production" as a method of production is no longer featured in the new syllabus, and this has been replaced with "mass customization" as an operations method.
  3. In addition, there is no longer any reference to "process production" when referring to mass or flow operations methods.
  4. The production methods stated in the previous guide were taught to AO2, but all operations methods are now to be taught to AO3.

Please be aware of these changes when using or referring to resources for the previous syllabus, including past examination questions and mark schemes.

Starter Activity

For any overview of the main production methods, watch this short video clip (but note that lean production is covered in Unit 5.3 in the IB Business Management syllabus for HL students only):

InThinking Business Management resources

Click the hyperlinks below to access the InThinking resources for this particular section of the IB Business Management syllabus.

Return to the Unit 5 - Operations management homepage

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