Production Scheduling Types

Following are the three types of production scheduling

Master Scheduling

Scheduling starts with the master schedule. This schedule is prepared by keeping in view the order or likely sales order in near future. Master scheduling is the breakup of production requirements. This may be prepared for a week, a fortnight, a month etc. If only one product is manufactured then scheduling is easy but it becomes complex when more products are required to be produced.

Master schedule has to be adjusted as per the new order received. If plant capacity is available then new requirements may be adjusted in the same schedule but in case new orders may not be adjustable at present capacity then either the schedule may be redrawn or new plant and equipment may be acquired. No definite pattern may be suggested for master schedules because these may differ from industry to industry or in the same industry.

However, the following information is provided in them:

• The number of personnel available and the projected man hours in various shifts etc.
• The estimated requirements in man-hours per product.
• The requirements of direct materials for the projected production.
• The amount of normal overhead expenses required at the projected work-load.

Manufacturing or Operation Scheduling

Manufacturing schedule is used where production process is continuous. When same product is produced repeatedly or comparatively small number of products are required then operation schedules are useful. The name and number of the product and the quantity to be produced in a given time are required to prepare a manufacturing schedule. If the product to be produced is in a variety of sizes, colours, weights, types etc. then these things should also be mentioned in the schedule. The order of preference for the manufacture is also mentioned in the schedule for a systematic production planning.

Different from MPS, this type of scheduling focuses around the production of uniform products of the same size, color, and design in mass quantities. Found within a manufacturing process that produces the same products regularly, manufacturing and operation scheduling is easily prepared for manufacturers that fit the above criteria. However, the system flounders where variables arise in production and there are multiple permutations of a single product.

Detail Operation Scheduling

It indicated the time required to perform each and every detailed operations of a given machine or process.