Learning Curve Theory

A learning curve is defined as “the line displaying the relationship between unit production time and the cumulative number of units produced” (Jacobs & Chase, 2014). A learning curve can be experience by individuals, teams, and whole organizations as people continually repeat a process and achieve skills and efficiency by completing those processes.

The members of team D experienced a learning curve during the Practice Operations modules. As team members completed their individual parts, they were walked through each step at the beginning of the module, where they began acquiring skill at completing pieces of the module. Eventually, each team member was able to complete the module without assistance from the game. As each module progressed, the team members used their new skills to efficiently complete both modules. At the end of each module, if a team member was unsatisfied with their results, they could apply the complete knowledge of the process and attempt the module again. Having acquired all the skills from the previous attempt, the team members were able to improve their results, using up to five attempts. Therefore, if a member failed their first attempt, they would be able to try the simulation again, and are almost guaranteed to have better results.

Utilizing the learning curve theory relates to personal and professional life because as team members continue to do the same tasks over and over, they learn, acquire new skills, require less time to accomplish those tasks, and complete the tasks in a more efficient manner. Jacobs, F.R. & Chase, R.B. (2014). Operations and supply chain management (14th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

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