Solutions / Advanced Planning & Scheduling

According to the Hierarchical Production Planning HPP model (Hax, Meal, 1975), the production planning process works on two different levels, the tactical and the operational levels. At the execution level operates, instead, the scheduling process. A production plan can be divided into 2 main parts:

• the Master Planning (which includes the Sales & Operations Planning and the Master Production Schedule)
• the Detailed Planning (which includes the MRP and the production scheduling processes).

A production manager is involved with the planning, coordination and control of manufacturing processes. They ensure that goods and services are produced efficiently and that the correct amount is produced at the right cost and level of quality.

Tasks typically involve:

• overseeing the production process, drawing up a production schedule;
• ensuring that the production is cost effective;
• making sure that products are produced on time and are of good quality;
• working out the human and material resources needed;
• drafting a timescale for the job;
• estimating costs and setting the quality standards;
• monitoring the production processes and adjusting schedules as needed;
• being responsible for the selection and maintenance of equipment;
• monitoring product standards and implementing quality-control programmes;
• liaising among different departments, e.g. suppliers, managers;
• working with managers to implement the company's policies and goals;
• ensuring that health and safety guidelines are followed;
• supervising and motivating a team of workers;
• reviewing worker performance;
• identifying training needs. (Source: AGCAS editors 2012)

Flex for Planning processes