WGU Operations-Management Exam - Topic 1 Question 3 Discussion

When demand rises suddenly to 140% of existing capacity, the firm must rely on short-term, flexible capacity options to respond quickly.

The two appropriate options are:

Hiring temporary workers

Subcontracting a portion of production capacity

Temporary workers can be deployed rapidly with minimal onboarding time, allowing the firm to increase output without long-term labor commitments. This option is especially effective when the demand surge may be temporary or uncertain.

Subcontracting provides immediate access to external capacity without requiring capital investment. It allows the firm to meet demand while avoiding the risks associated with permanent expansion.

The other options are not viable in the short term:

Building new facilities is capital-intensive and slow

Hiring and training full-time employees requires time and long-term commitment

Operations Management distinguishes capacity-based options into short-term (temporary labor, overtime, subcontracting) and long-term (facilities, permanent workforce). In crisis situations, speed and flexibility dominate decision-making.