Lesson Plan

• Identify the common operational and strategic problems that arise when a business changes its production method.
• Evaluate the financial and efficiency implications of a production‑method transition.
• Propose appropriate mitigation strategies to manage the change effectively.
• Analyse real‑world switching scenarios and justify recommended actions.

• Projector and PowerPoint slides
• Printed case‑study handouts (switching scenario table)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Calculators or spreadsheet software
• Short video of a production line change
• Sticky notes for group brainstorming

Begin with a recent headline about a factory automating its line to capture interest. Ask students what production methods they already know and how market pressure might force a change. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to list key problems of a transition and suggest realistic solutions.

1. Do‑now quiz on job, batch, flow, cell and lean production (5').
2. Mini‑lecture on why firms change methods and the typical problems (10').
3. Group analysis of the “From … To …” table – identify drivers, problems and mitigation ideas (15').
4. Whole‑class debrief of group findings; create a master list of issues on the board (10').
5. Financial exercise: calculate a simple NPV for a proposed change using supplied data (10').
6. Recap & exit ticket – each student writes one major problem and one mitigation strategy (5').

Summarise the key challenges of switching production methods and the importance of careful planning and financial analysis. Collect exit tickets to check understanding, then assign homework: research a real company that has changed its production method and produce a brief report outlining the problems faced and how they were addressed.