Production is one of the most important processes within manufacturing, and is a core part of what it means to be a manufacturer. Without this activity, no finished goods would be created, and there would be nothing to sell to customers.
The production process takes resources, such as raw materials, labor, capital and equipment, and turns them into finished goods or services for consumers. The goal of the production process isn’t only to produce but to do so efficiently. The goods or services should be delivered to customers as quickly as possible.
In production planning, the first decision involves which type of production process —the way a good or service is created—best fits with company goals and customer demand. An important consideration is the type of good or service being produced, because different goods may require different production processes.
The job of operations management is to oversee the process of transforming resources into goods and services. The role of operations managers in the manufacturing sector includes production planning, production control, and quality control.