A typical total product curve goes through four stages, namely introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. As the product moves through the different stages different aspects of the operations management become relatively more or less important. Listed below are some strategy issues. Against each of b they indicate the stage of the product life cycle (only one) where it will assume greater importance/relevance.

Issues Stage of product cycle

Standardization _________________________________

Increase capacity _________________________________

Optimum capacity _________________________________

Reduce capacity & cos minimization _________________________

Forecasting critical ________________________________