Discuss the product-process matrix.What happens when a product is assigned to be made with the wrong process? Explain.

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The Answer is The product-process matrix matches the characteristics of the product with the "right" process to make it.Product characteristics that are important include the production volume and product variety.
At one end of the spectrum in the matrix includes very standardized products with high volume production.These products are ideally made using a continuous flow process or an assembly line type of process.Each of these processes usually involves advanced technology requiring machines and equipment which are very expensive (capital intensive with high fixed costs).Hence the high volume production justifies such high fixed cost investments.If such processes are used to make products with low production volumes,it will lead to inefficiencies due to dis-economies of scale.
The other end of the spectrum includes products which have high variety and are customizable and usually made in low volumes.Such products are usually made using a job-shop type process which uses many general purpose (inexpensive)tools and is labor intensive.If job-shop type processes are attempted to be used for high volume standardized products,the costs would be very high due to the process being labor intensive and it would also be impossible to achieve high volume production.

Discuss the Product-Process Matrix