What is the Difference Between Manufacturing Operations and Workstations?

Manufacturing Operations: This refers to the entire process or series of steps needed to manufacture a product. These steps take place across different workstations, and each operation can involve multiple workstations. Manufacturing operations focus on the overall production process.

Workstations: A workstation is a specific location or area in the manufacturing process where a manufacturing step is carried out. Each workstation has its own assigned time unit (e.g., minutes, hours) and expenses, such as worker wages or assets used. A manufacturing operation may involve several workstations.

Clarifying Example:

If a factory manufactures furniture such as chairs, the manufacturing operation of the chair might involve multiple steps such as cutting wood, assembling parts, and finishing the surface. The cutting station is where wood is cut into pieces. The assembly station is where the parts are put together. Each workstation is responsible for a specific task within the manufacturing operation.