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Quantitative analysis

Limitations of the learning curve

model

The learning curve model has its limitations. Learning effects are
most likely to be seen if:

The process is labour intensive

 Modern manufacturing environments may be very capital intensive (i.e.
machine intensive) and the labour effect cannot apply if machines limit the
speed of labour.

The product is new

 This may be the case in the modern environment as products have short
lives and therefore new products will be introduced on a regular basis.

The introduction of a new product makes it more probable that there will be a
learning effect.

The product is complex

 The more complex the product the more likely that the learning curve will be
significant, and the longer it will take for the learning curve to reach a steady
state or 'plateau' (beyond which no more learning can take place).

Production is repetitive and there are no break sin production

 The learning effect requires that production is repetitive with no major breaks
in which the learning effect may be lost. JIT production has moved towards
multi-skilled and multi-tasked workers. It is possible that some of the benefits
of the learning effect in a single tasking environment may be lost. The
production of small batches of possible different products in response to
customer demand may also lead to the loss of some of the learning effect.

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