Production Scheduling Mastery in 5 Steps

Posted by Paul Hughson on Thu, Jul 23, 2015

Article imageProduction 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

 

Bespoke Manufacturing Software vs ERP: A Business Case Assessment

Topics: Production Scheduling