MBA Operations Management -

Interview Questions & Answers

Q: Tell me about yourself and why you chose Operations Management as
specialization.
A: I am pursuing my MBA in Operations Management from IGNOU, with a background in
Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering. I chose Operations because it connects
technical knowledge with managerial decision-making. I enjoy process improvement,
problem-solving, and ensuring efficiency in business operations.

Q: What do you understand by Operations Management?

A: Operations Management is the administration of business practices to ensure maximum
efficiency within an organization. It focuses on converting inputs (materials, labor, and
technology) into outputs (goods and services) in the most effective way.

Q: How does Operations differ from Supply Chain Management and Logistics?
A: Operations is about managing internal processes to ensure efficiency, while Supply Chain
Management covers the entire network of suppliers, production, and distribution. Logistics
is a subset that focuses on transportation and warehousing.

Q: Which subject in Operations do you like most and why?

A: I like Supply Chain Management the most because it involves coordination across
multiple functions, decision-making under uncertainty, and strategic planning for efficiency
and customer satisfaction.

Q: What is the difference between product layout and process layout?

A: Product layout arranges resources according to the sequence of production steps (e.g.,
assembly line), whereas process layout groups similar processes together (e.g., hospitals,
job shops).

Q: What do you understand by capacity planning?

A: Capacity planning is the process of determining the production capacity needed by an
organization to meet changing demands for its products.

Q: Explain Bottleneck analysis with an example.

A: A bottleneck is a stage in a process that reduces overall capacity. For example, if a factory
has 3 machines but one is slower, it limits the total output. Identifying and improving
bottlenecks increases efficiency.
Q: What is the difference between Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma?
A: Lean Manufacturing focuses on eliminating waste and improving flow, while Six Sigma
focuses on reducing variation and defects in processes. Many companies use Lean Six Sigma,
a combination of both.

Q: Can you explain Just-in-Time (JIT) and its advantages?

A: JIT is an inventory management system where materials are received only when needed.
Advantages include reduced inventory costs, less waste, and improved efficiency.

Q: What are the key steps in Process Improvement?

A: Key steps include identifying the process, analyzing inefficiencies, brainstorming
solutions, implementing changes, and monitoring outcomes for continuous improvement.

Q: What do you understand by TQM (Total Quality Management)?

A: TQM is a management approach focused on long-term success through customer
satisfaction, involving all members of an organization in improving processes, products, and
culture.

Q: What are 7 QC tools in quality control?

A: They include: Check sheet, Histogram, Pareto chart, Cause-and-effect diagram, Control
chart, Scatter diagram, and Flow chart.

Q: Explain Kaizen and Continuous Improvement.

A: Kaizen is a Japanese concept of continuous improvement involving everyone in the
organization. It emphasizes small, incremental changes to improve efficiency and quality.

Q: Difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC).

A: QA is process-oriented and focuses on preventing defects, while QC is product-oriented
and focuses on identifying defects in finished goods.

Q: What is Supply Chain Management and its importance in today’s business?

A: SCM is the coordination of production, inventory, location, and transportation to achieve
the best mix of responsiveness and efficiency. It is important for cost reduction, customer
satisfaction, and global competitiveness.

Q: Can you explain Bullwhip Effect in supply chain?

A: The bullwhip effect is when small demand fluctuations at the retail level cause larger
variations upstream in the supply chain, leading to inefficiencies.

Q: What are the different types of inventory management techniques?

A: Some techniques are Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), ABC analysis, VED analysis, JIT,
and Safety Stock methods.
Q: What are push and pull systems in operations?
A: Push systems forecast demand and produce in advance (e.g., mass production), while pull
systems produce based on actual demand (e.g., JIT).

Q: What are the different types of forecasting techniques?

A: They include qualitative methods (Delphi method, expert judgment) and quantitative
methods (time series analysis, regression, moving averages, exponential smoothing).

Q: What factors do you consider before making a demand forecast?

A: Factors include historical sales data, market trends, seasonality, competitor actions, and
economic conditions.

Q: Difference between Aggregate Planning and Master Production Schedule.

A: Aggregate planning sets overall production, inventory, and workforce levels over a
medium term. MPS is a detailed plan specifying what is to be produced and when.

Q: Can you explain any Operations-related project or case study you have done
in MBA?
A: Yes, I worked on a project analyzing supply chain efficiency and suggested improvements
using EOQ and ABC classification for inventory management.

Q: How will you reduce production cost without affecting quality?

A: By optimizing resource utilization, reducing waste, adopting lean methods, improving
supplier relationships, and using automation where possible.

Q: Suppose customer demand suddenly increases by 30%, how will you manage
operations?
A: I will immediately check capacity utilization, add overtime shifts if needed, coordinate
with suppliers for raw material, and prioritize key customer orders.

Q: If suppliers delay raw materials, how will you ensure smooth operations?
A: I will maintain safety stock, explore alternate suppliers, and adjust the production
schedule to minimize disruptions.

Q: How is Industry 4.0 / Automation / IoT impacting Operations?

A: Industry 4.0 improves efficiency through automation, real-time monitoring, predictive
maintenance, and smart supply chains using IoT and data analytics.

Q: What is the role of ERP systems (like SAP, Oracle) in operations?

A: ERP systems integrate all functions like inventory, production, procurement, and finance
into a single platform, improving coordination and decision-making.
Q: How can AI and Data Analytics help in supply chain efficiency?
A: AI helps in demand forecasting, route optimization, predictive maintenance, and supplier
risk management. Analytics identifies trends and supports better decisions.

Q: Give me an example when you solved an operations-related problem during

study/work.
A: During my project, I identified overstocking issues and applied ABC analysis, which
reduced holding costs while ensuring availability of critical items.

Q: How do you handle pressure situations when deadlines are strict?

A: I prioritize tasks, break them into smaller steps, stay focused, and coordinate with the
team to ensure timely delivery without compromising quality.

Q: If you have to choose between cost reduction and customer satisfaction,

which one will you prefer?
A: Customer satisfaction, because long-term business sustainability depends on loyal
customers. Cost reduction should support, not compromise, customer needs.

Q: Why MBA?
A: I chose MBA because I wanted to develop managerial and leadership skills in addition to
my technical knowledge. MBA helps me understand business holistically and prepares me
for decision-making roles.

Q: Why Operations Management?

A: I chose Operations as my specialization because I enjoy problem-solving and improving
efficiency. Operations is the backbone of any organization, and with my technical
background, it was the best fit to connect engineering with management.