While other books describe production control from an idealistic perspective, this book explains the real work of successful production control. The reader will learn: how the scheduling task can be decomposed and organized; how the production control department can be structured; how to hire and train schedulers; and how software tools can be used to augment the scheduler’s skill. Suggestions for setting reasonable expectations for their use and a how to avoid implementation problems are provided. Readers will discover what production control involves beyond MRP-II, Gantt Charts, and other mechanical tools. Numerous assessment tools are also provided and much more.
Key Features
Provides assessment tools for determining the extent of a scheduling problem, its stability, and how well scheduling is being performed
Offers methodologies for setting reasonable expectations for scheduling systems use and ways to avoid implementation problems
Demystifies and explains Advanced Planning Systems (APS) and other scheduling systems
Clarifies what production control involves beyond MRP-II, Gantt charts, and other mechanical tools
Provides a list of key messages for quick review by the busy professional at the beginning of each chapter
WAV features free downloadable supplements designed to help you assess your production control operations with tips for making improvements — available from the Web Added Value™ Download Resource Center at www.jrosspub.com/wav
About the Author(s)
Kenneth N. McKay is a professor in the Department of Management Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo. He holds an MSc and PhD in management science from Waterloo and has conducted interdisciplinary research on the scheduling problem in real factories since the mid 1980s. Professor McKay has also been involved in the development of commercial software tools for planning and scheduling since 1986.
Vincent C. S. Wiers holds a MSc. and a PhD. in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from the Eindhoven University of Technology. After years of working as a supply chain management consultant specializing in implementing Advanced Planning and Scheduling systems, he started his own consultanting company in 2003.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction and Reality Check Chapter 2 - Production Control Concepts and Associated Systems Chapter 3 - Objectives and Roles Chapter 4 - The Functions of Production Control Chapter 5 - The Tasks of Production Control Chapter 6 - The Hiring and Training of Schedulers and Planners Chapter 7 - Information Used in Production Control Chapter 8 - MRP and Capacity Analysis Chapter 9 - Advanced Planning and Scheduling Systems Chapter 10 - Acquiring a Planning and Scheduling Tool Chapter 11 - Determining Tool Success Chapter 12 - Scheduling Tool Failures Chapter 13 - Excel and Visual Basic Tools Chapter 14 - Consultants Chapter 15 - Uncertainty in Production Control Chapter 16 - Managing Bottlenecks Chapter 17 - Naughty Things Others Do Chapter 18 - Self-Inflicted Wounds Chapter 19 - Productions Control at Different Points in a Firm's Cycle Chapter 20 - Finale References and Suggested Reading Index