Scheduling

 Scheduling

Scheduling is next to routing & is concerned with timetable of production. Scheduling arranges the different manufacturing operations in order of priority, fixing the time & date for the commencement & completion of each operation. It includes all requisites of production like scheduling of parts, materials, machines, etc. perfect coordination must exist between operation so that parts that are separately produced are brought to the final assembly in right time. In brief, scheduling means fixing or deciding the amount of work to be done & fixing the time for starting & finishing each operation. It is like a timetable of the production plan.

Essentials of master scheduling:

1. Inventory policy & position.
2. Procurement including subcontract.
3. Sales forecast.
4. Departmental manufacturing capacities.
5. Operations required & operations schedule.
6. Specific operations presenting critical path or imbalance of production flow.
7. Specific customer demands or delivery requirements.
8. Alternative delivery schedules.
9. Production plan including quantitative data.
10. Production standards.
11. Demand for finished products.

Uses of scheduling:

1. Scheduling is certainly a necessity in a large setup which produces a variety of products with numerous components. The time within which products must be manufactured forms an important element in production control.
2. Scheduling also determines the total time required to perform a given piece of work or assembly.
3. Time & motion study helps standardization of methods of work after a careful analysis of all the vital factors surrounding the manufacturing processes.