Production scheduling and planning should be a proactive business advantage - here are some tips on making it happen.
Bringing information together is essential – but a meeting room isn’t strictly the best place to do it.
Your ideal production scheduling plan should get the most from your production line to meet demands. That requires real-time information from across your departments.
Imagine if you had integrated software to inform and control planning: would you still need the meetings?
Backwards, forwards or both?
- Forwards production scheduling and planning means you get the materials and resources together beforehand and schedule forward from there.
- Backwards means you agree a due date and put all of your scheduling in to ensure you’re on time.
- Using a good MRP system ensures that you can work in both directions.
Invest in an MRP system that gives your planners a clearer picture
- Graphical views enable you to see and sequence plans better.
- Identify gaps in the schedule visibly and fill them productively.
- Don’t act in isolation: if your planning doesn't tie in with all of the other processes that go into your manufacturing, it’s doing half a job
Ensure the MRP system is holistic
- Production scheduling and planning with MRP software will in itself improve processes
- Linked to the shop floor, warehousing, procurement and other areas it will feed back into how the business is performing overall
- Take this integrated approach to become a business that operates proactively - driven by real-time information.
Takeaways:
- Formalise any informal processes taking place in the production schedule
- Seek a system that gives you a clear visual representation of what’s going on
- Link the production schedule to all other departments to ensure the process feeds proactive actions
Find out more about how the right processes can improve your manufacturing business by downloading: Bespoke Manufacturing Software vs ERP: A Business Case Assessment
Topics: Production Scheduling