Which option represents a short-term production management decision?

The selection of equipment and factory is a long-term strategic decision rather than a short-term one. Short-term production management decisions are typically focused on day-to-day operations and immediate production needs.

Production and control directly relate to managing ongoing operations, ensuring that production schedules are met, resources are utilized efficiently, and output matches demand—this is essential for short-term decision-making. Similarly, quality control and maintenance are crucial for maintaining operational standards and addressing issues as they arise in the production process, thus also fitting the short-term management perspective. Job design, while it can influence long-term goals, often involves immediate assessments of workflows and tasks to optimize employee performance and satisfaction within a given production cycle.

In contrast, the selection of equipment and factory requires substantial investment and planning, often reflecting broader strategic goals and resource allocation that extend beyond immediate operational needs. Therefore, the focus of the question is on short-term action, where production and control, quality control/maintenance, and job design are more appropriate choices.