Which of the following is a disadvantage of standardization?

Standardization is a process aimed at establishing common standards for products, processes, or systems to ensure consistency and efficiency. However, one of its significant disadvantages is that it can lead to high costs of design changes. When a product is standardized, it becomes more rigid and less flexible to modifications. This means that if a change is needed—whether to improve the product, incorporate new technologies, or address specific client needs—the cost and effort required to alter the design can be substantial.

Design changes in a standardized environment often involve reworking existing processes, retraining staff, and possibly re-evaluating supply chain agreements. This can hinder an organization's ability to adapt quickly to market demands or new innovations, leading to delays and increased expenses. As a result, even though standardization can streamline operations and reduce variability, it can also create significant obstacles and costs when adaptation is necessary. Thus, recognizing this disadvantage is crucial for organizations that rely heavily on standardized practices.