A Prevalidation of the Product-Process Matrix

A major challenge for instructors of supply chain and operations management (SCOM) courses is to help students who have never seen a production floor visualize concepts, such as the product-process matrix from standard introductory SCOM texts. This article presents a classroom exercise, which "prevalidates" the product-process matrix. Student groups are given a product description and tasked to build the factory to make it using classroom furniture. Even with no prior knowledge, those tasked to make high-volume standardized products will create simple assembly lines, while those tasked with customized products will create simple work center layouts. A description of how to run this exercise is provided, as well as key takeaways and evidence of effectiveness.