About Operations management in A Level Business
Operations management is one of the 6 main topics in our A Level Business (Cambridge (CAIE) 9609) question bank, and about 16% of its real questions come from it. Tayyari Karo has 27 real questions on this topic from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3, Paper 4. By difficulty: 13 easy, 8 hard, 6 medium.
Work through the questions below, then open the explanation for each one. Redo the ones you missed a few days later.
Try 8 real questions
These are real past-paper questions. Think of your answer first, then open the explanation.
May/June 2026 · Paper 1 · Operations management
(a) Define the term 'buffer inventory'. [2]
(b) Explain one advantage to a business of labour intensive operations. [3]
Show model answer
(a) Buffer inventory is the minimum/extra stock that should be held to ensure production can still take place should there be a delay in delivery or an increase in production rates/demand (2). Partial: minimum/extra stock held (1).
(b) Knowledge (1 mark): identify one advantage, e.g. lower start-up costs/lower capital barriers; high flexibility/adaptable employees; customisation/job production; high-value service/high quality; access to low-cost labour; avoids machinery maintenance. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2026 · Paper 3 · Operations management
SLS case study (premium-priced zero-sugar ice cream, mission statement 'bringing quality to the zero-sugar ice cream market', natural ingredients, 100% recyclable packaging).
Analyse two reasons why quality is important to SLS. [8]
Show model answer
8 marks: Knowledge (max 2), Application (max 2), Analysis (max 4). Knowledge: quality is the standard of a product/how well it satisfies customer requirements; reasons: creates customer loyalty and brand reputation; reduces cost of complaints; prolongs the product life cycle; reduces advertising cost; allows higher prices. Application: mission statement on quality; sold in premium supermarkets; 10 flavours, two sizes, 100% recyclable packaging; distinctive flavours USP; best natural ingredients; higher price than competitors; competitive market. …
The full model answer is in the app.
October/November 2025 · Paper 1 · Operations management
Define the term ' labour productivity'.
Explain one way that a business can improve labour productivity.
Show model answer
The ratio of outputs to labour input during production. Output per worker. = Total output / Number of employees. Clear understanding (2 marks). Partial understanding (1 mark): output of labour/workforce; how much employees are able to do/how productive workers are.
Ways include: motivate employees; train employees; employ experienced workers; increase hours worked; change way work is done; invest in equipment and technology. Application: effort and productivity may increase if employees are offered financial or non-financial rewards — they may feel more valued and work harder e.g. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · Operations management
Define the term outsourcing.
Explain one purpose of JIC (Just in Case) inventory management.
Show model answer
When a business uses another business to carry out some of its activities. The use by a business of another organisation. Clear understanding (2 marks). Partial understanding: the use of another organisation (1 mark).
Knowledge: JIC is an inventory management method that holds excess inventory (buffer stock) so that a business always has inventory when required and never runs out. It can meet any increase in customer demand or respond to supply delays/interruptions. Application: Extra inventory is available in case there are any problems with supply or a spike in demand. The business can continue to produce until the next delivery is received. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · Operations management
Analyse two benefits to a business of holding high levels of inventory.
Evaluate whether supply chain management is the most important operational activity to the success of a manufacturer of electric cars.
Show model answer
Knowledge (2 marks): Will meet customer needs/demand; will not run out of production materials; can stockpile seasonal products; allows for bulk buying discounts; less need to reorder. Application (2 marks): Completed chairs and tables ready for sale; car components needed for production; Christmas decorations made throughout the year; could buy cloth more cheaply in bulk. Analysis (4 marks): The business can increase production and sales if demand increases unexpectedly, avoiding letting customers down and losing loyalty. Production can run smoothly even if supplies are delivered late. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2023 · Paper 4 · Operations management
Advise Sanjay on an operations strategy for LH to overcome the problems it is experiencing.
Show model answer
Knowledge (3 marks): Strategies for international marketing; scale of operations; quality control and quality assurance; inventory management; IT and AI in operations management; flexibility and innovation; enterprise and resource planning; production methods including lean production. Application (2 marks): LH objectives; online review extracts; SWOT analysis; cyber-attack, incomplete supplier lists and lost customer data; considerable reputational damage. Analysis (8 marks): Focusing on IT security is vital to repairing reputation. Security of data is paramount — could lead to fines. Justifies significant investment into new IT systems — but cost and time necessary is high. …
The full model answer is in the app.
October/November 2022 · Paper 1 · Operations management
Define the term 'efficiency'.
Explain two ways a business might increase the efficiency of its manufacturing operations.
Show model answer
Maximisation of outputs/items produced. Minimisation of inputs/making best use of resources. Or producing products at the highest ratio of output to input. Correct definition — 2 of the factors listed above (2 marks). Partial definition — 1 of the factors listed above (1 mark).
Change the ratio of labour/capital-intensive operations — more effective productive machines. Better training for employees/skilled workers. More effective management/motivation of employees. Focus on controlling and reducing waste. Bulk buying — get economies of scale. Minimising the cost of inputs/raw materials. Process innovation. Effective internal communication. Get smarter machine tools. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2021 · Paper 3 · Operations management
Refer to Appendix 1. Calculate: earliest start time (EST) for Activity F.
(ii) Total float for Activity D.
(iii) Free float for Activity C.
Assess the role of critical path analysis (CPA) in the successful installation of the new coffee roasting machines.
Show model answer
Some attempt at identifying EST, e.g. additions of previous EST or definition (1). EST = 18 + 3 = 21 days (2).
Definition — Total float is max. time an activity can be delayed without delaying the whole project (1 mark if no relevant equation or calculation). LFT – duration – EST (1). Total float = 21 – 2 – 0 = 19 days (3).
Definition — Free float is max. time an activity can be delayed without delaying the next activity (1 mark if no relevant equation or calculation). EST next activity – duration – EST (1). Free float = 18 – 6 – 0 = 12 days (3).
Knowledge (2 marks): Definition of network analysis: part of project management to ensure resources are used efficiently. …
The full model answer is in the app.
