Group A — Short answer Questions (1 mark)

Q1Define Management. Is Management an Art or a Science?

Ans Q1: Management is the process of getting things done through others. It is both an art (requires skill) and a science (based on systematic principles).

Q2What are the four primary functions of Management (POSDCORB)?

Ans Q2: The four primary functions are:

  • Planning
  • Organizing
  • Directing
  • Controlling
Q3State Henry Fayol's 14 Principles of Management (any four).

Ans Q3: Four principles of Fayol:

  • Division of work
  • Authority and responsibility
  • Discipline
  • Unity of command
Q4Who is known as the Father of Scientific Management and what are his core tenets?

Ans Q4: F.W. Taylor. Core tenets: Science not rule of thumb, Harmony not discord, Cooperation not individualism, Maximum output.

Q5Define Organization Structure. Differentiate Line and Staff organization.

Ans Q5: Organization structure defines how activities are directed. Line has direct authority; Staff advises and supports Line.

Q6What is Span of Control / Span of Management?

Ans Q6: The number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise.

Q7Define Centralization vs Decentralization in management.

Ans Q7: Centralization is the concentration of decision-making authority at the top; decentralization delegates it down the hierarchy.

Q8What is Organizational Behavior (OB)?

Ans Q8: The study of human behavior in organizational settings.

Q9Define Motivation according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Ans Q9: Motivation is driven by a hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization.

Q10What is Hertzberg's Two-Factor Theory of Motivation?

Ans Q10: Motivation is influenced by hygiene factors (prevent dissatisfaction) and motivators (encourage satisfaction).

Q11Differentiate Theory X and Theory Y of Douglas McGregor.

Ans Q11: Theory X assumes employees are lazy and need control; Theory Y assumes employees are self-motivated and seek responsibility.

Q12What is Leadership? Differentiate Autocratic, Democratic, and Laissez-faire leadership styles.

Ans Q12: Leadership is influencing others to achieve goals. Autocratic: leader decides alone. Democratic: team decides together. Laissez-faire: team has full freedom.

Q13Define Production Planning and Control (PPC).

Ans Q13: PPC is the process of planning production in advance and coordinating resources to meet demand efficiently.

Q14What are the main types of Production Systems (Job, Batch, Mass/Continuous)?

Ans Q14: Types include:

  • Job: customized, one-off
  • Batch: produced in groups
  • Mass/Continuous: high volume, standardized
Q15Define Plant Layout. What is Process Layout vs Product Layout?

Ans Q15: Plant layout is the physical arrangement of facilities. Process layout groups similar machines; Product layout arranges them in sequence of operations.

Q16What is Plant Location? Name two quantitative methods for site selection.

Ans Q16: Plant location is choosing a region for operations. Methods: Factor Rating Method, Center of Gravity Method.

Q17Define Inventory Management and state its primary objective.

Ans Q17: Inventory management oversees the flow of goods. Objective: Minimize holding costs while ensuring continuous supply.

Q18What is Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)? State its basic formula.

Ans Q18: EOQ minimizes total inventory costs. Formula: √(2DS/H) where D=Demand, S=Ordering Cost, H=Holding Cost.

Q19Define ABC Analysis in inventory control.

Ans Q19: Categorizing inventory into A (high value, low volume), B (moderate), and C (low value, high volume) for control.

Q20What is Safety Stock and Reorder Level (ROL)?

Ans Q20: Safety stock acts as a buffer against stockouts. ROL is the inventory level that triggers a new order.

Q21Define Work Study. What are its two main components?

Ans Q21: Work study analyzes human work to improve efficiency. Components: Method Study and Work Measurement.

Q22What is Method Study and what is its primary objective?

Ans Q22: Method study evaluates how work is done. Objective: Find the most efficient and economical way to perform a task.

Q23What is Work Measurement / Time Study?

Ans Q23: Technique to establish the time required for a qualified worker to carry out a specified job at a defined level of performance.

Q24Define Allowance in Time Study. What is Standard Time?

Ans Q24: Allowance is extra time added for fatigue/delays. Standard Time = Basic Time + Allowances.

Q25What is Ergonomics / Human Factors Engineering?

Ans Q25: The study of designing workplaces and tools to fit human physical and cognitive capabilities.

Q26Define Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA).

Ans Q26: QC identifies defects in finished products. QA prevents defects by ensuring proper processes are followed.

Q27What is Total Quality Management (TQM)?

Ans Q27: An organization-wide approach to continuous improvement of quality and customer satisfaction.

Q28Define Statistical Process Control (SPC). What are Control Charts?

Ans Q28: SPC uses statistical methods to monitor and control a process. Control charts visually track process variations over time.

Q29What is the difference between Variable Control Charts (X-bar, R chart) and Attribute Control Charts (p, c chart)?

Ans Q29: Variable charts measure continuous data (e.g., length), while attribute charts count discrete defects (pass/fail).

Q30What is ISO 9000 series certification?

Ans Q30: A set of international standards for quality management systems (QMS) ensuring products meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Q31Define Six Sigma. What does DMAIC stand for?

Ans Q31: Six Sigma is a methodology to reduce defects (3.4 per million). DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control.

Q32What is Financial Management? State its main objectives.

Ans Q32: Managing an organization's financial resources. Objectives: Profit maximization, wealth maximization, and maintaining liquidity.

Q33Define Working Capital. Differentiate Gross and Net Working Capital.

Ans Q33: Funds for day-to-day operations. Gross = Total current assets; Net = Current assets minus current liabilities.

Q34What is Break-Even Analysis? Define Break-Even Point (BEP).

Ans Q34: Analyzes relationship between cost, volume, and profit. BEP is the point where total revenue equals total costs (no profit, no loss).

Q35State the formula for calculating Break-Even Point in units and sales value.

Ans Q35: BEP (Units) = Fixed Costs / Contribution per unit. BEP (Sales Value) = Fixed Costs / P/V Ratio.

Q36Define Fixed Cost and Variable Cost with examples.

Ans Q36: Fixed costs remain constant regardless of output (e.g., rent). Variable costs change with output (e.g., raw materials).

Q37What is Contribution Margin and Profit-Volume (P/V) Ratio?

Ans Q37: Contribution Margin = Sales - Variable Costs. P/V Ratio = (Contribution / Sales) * 100.

Q38Define Depreciation. Name two common methods of computing depreciation.

Ans Q38: Reduction in the value of an asset over time. Methods: Straight-Line Method, Written-Down Value Method.

Q39What is Project Management?

Ans Q39: The application of knowledge, skills, and tools to execute projects efficiently and effectively.

Q40Define Network Diagram in project planning.

Ans Q40: A visual representation of project activities and their logical sequence or dependencies.

Q41What is PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)?

Ans Q41: A network analysis technique used for managing projects with uncertain activity times (probabilistic).

Q42What is CPM (Critical Path Method)?

Ans Q42: A network analysis technique used for projects with deterministic, well-defined activity times.

Q43Differentiate between PERT and CPM.

Ans Q43: PERT is event-oriented and probabilistic; CPM is activity-oriented and deterministic.

Q44Define Critical Path and Slack/Float in network analysis.

Ans Q44: Critical path is the longest sequence of activities determining project duration. Slack/Float is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project.

Q45What is a Gantt Chart?

Ans Q45: A bar chart that illustrates a project schedule, showing start and finish dates of activities.

Q46Define Supply Chain Management (SCM).

Ans Q46: The management of the flow of goods, data, and finances from raw materials to final consumption.

Q47What is Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing / Kanban system?

Ans Q47: JIT produces only what is needed, when needed. Kanban is a visual signaling system used to trigger production/movement in JIT.

Q48What is Maintenance Management? Differentiate Preventive and Breakdown maintenance.

Ans Q48: Managing equipment reliability. Preventive avoids failures via regular checks; Breakdown fixes equipment after it fails.

Q49What is Material Handling? State two principles of material handling.

Ans Q49: Movement, protection, and control of materials. Principles: Gravity principle, Unit load principle.

Q50Define Human Resource Management (HRM).

Ans Q50: The strategic approach to managing people, focusing on recruitment, training, and employee relations.

Q51What is Job Analysis, Job Description, and Job Specification?

Ans Q51: Job Analysis: studying a job's requirements. Job Description: duties and responsibilities. Job Specification: required skills and qualifications.

Q52What is Performance Appraisal?

Ans Q52: The regular evaluation of an employee's job performance and contribution to the organization.