Production management is concerned with planning and controIIing industrial processes which
produce and distribute products and services. Techniques of production management are also
used in service industries: here they are called operations management. During production
processes, inputs are converted into outputs. These processes take many forms: from basic
agriculture to large-scale manufacturing. Much manufacturing takes place in factories, where
assembly lines allow a steady flow of raw materials (inputs) and finished products (outputs).
People in production focus on efficiency and effectiveness of processes in order to maximize
productivity. To achieve overall success, it is important to measure, analyse and evaluate these
processes. However, other activities als o con tribute to success: purchasing, inventory control.
quality control. storage, logistics.