Which layout describes arranging facilities to follow the sequence of operations in production?

• A. Process Layout
• B. Inputs
• C. Product Layout
• D. Outputs

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how production facilities are arranged to match the flow of work. The layout that follows the sequence of operations in producing a product is a product layout (line layout). In this setup, workstations and equipment are arranged in the exact order of the production steps, so the product moves from one station to the next with minimal backtracking or handling. This is ideal for high-volume, standardized products, like an automotive assembly line, where there is a consistent sequence and the goal is to maximize speed and reduce movement.

In contrast, a process layout groups equipment by function (similar operations are in the same area), which provides flexibility for varied tasks but doesn’t align with a strict production sequence. Inputs and outputs aren’t layout types themselves; they refer to raw materials entering the system and finished products leaving it, not how the factory is laid out.