Daniel Graham Manufacturing Planning Y2C5

Product Planning and Scheduling.

P8) Describe the Use of a Production Schedule.

The role of production planning is to minimise production time and costs, efficiently organise
the use of resources and maximise efficiency in the workplace. Production planning consists
of multiple production elements, ranging from the everyday activities of staff to the ability to
realise accurate delivery times for the customer. Production managements responsibilities
are based on the five Ms: men, machines, methods, materials, and money. Men refers to
the human element in operating systems. The production manager must also choose the
machines and methods of the company, first selecting the equipment and technology to be
used in the manufacture of the product or service and then planning and controlling the
methods and procedures for their use. The flexibility of the production process and the ability
of workers to adapt to equipment and schedules are important issues in this phase of
production management. The production manager must plan and control the process of
production so that it moves smoothly at the required level of output while meeting cost and
quality objectives. Process control has two purposes: first, to ensure that operations are
performed according to plan, and second, to continuously monitor and evaluate the
production plan to see if modifications can be devised to better meet cost, quality, delivery,
flexibility, or other objectives. For example, when demand for a product is high enough to
justify continuous production, the production level might need to be adjusted from time to
time to address fluctuating demand or changes in a companys market.

P9) Produce the Use of a Production Schedule From a Production Plan and Given
Data.

When going from jobbing to batch you need to consider the time taken to machine the job at
hand, for example it takes on average 3 hours to completely machine 3 of these
components, you couldnt work this way if you had to machine 200 components, youd have
to think of another way to produce these parts. A multi-head laser cutter can be used instead
of a milling machine as it will cut the length/width of the job and also cut the holes through.
The advantage of a multi-head laser means you can cut 5 jobs at a time so this process
essentially cuts the time by a fifth. This time cut means each part will take 36 minutes to
produce.

D1) Evaluate the Use of a Production Plan when Preparing a Production Schedule and
the Dangers of the Schedule Not Meeting Stock Holding Requirements.

Production planning is one of the planning functions that a company needs to perform to
meet the needs of its customers. It is a medium-range planning activity that follows long-
range planning such as process planning and strategic capacity planning. Company need to
have an aggregate planning or production planning strategy to ensure that there is sufficient
capacity to meet the demand forecast and to determine the best plan to meet this demand.
This production plan needs to be translated into a master production schedule so as to
schedule the items for completion promptly, according to promised delivery dates; to avoid
the overloading or under loading of the production facility; and so that production capacity is
efficiently utilized and low production costs result. Stock control, otherwise known
as inventory control, is used to show how much stock you have at any one time, and how
you keep track of it. It applies to every item you use to produce a product or service, from
raw materials to finished goods. It covers stock at every stage of the production process,
from purchase and delivery to using and re-ordering the stock. Efficient stock control allows
Daniel Graham Manufacturing Planning Y2C5

you to have the right amount of stock in the right place at the right time. It ensures that
capital is not tied up unnecessarily, and protects production if problems arise with the supply
chain. Deciding how much stock to keep depends on the size and nature of your business,
and the type of stock involved. If you are short of space, you may be able to buy stock in
bulk and then pay a fee to your supplier to store it, calling it off as and when needed.

Keeping little or no stock and negotiating with suppliers to deliver stock as you need it.

Advantages. Disadvantages.

Efficient and flexible - you only have what Meeting stock needs can become
you need, when you need it. complicated and expensive.

Lower storage costs. You might run out of stock if there's a

problem in the system.

You can keep up to date and develop new You are dependent on the efficiency of your
products without wasting stock. suppliers.

Keeping lots of stock:

Advantages Disadvantages

Easy to manage. Higher storage and insurance costs.

Low management costs. Certain goods might perish.

You never run out. Stock may become obsolete before it is

used.

Buying in bulk may be cheaper. Your capital is tied up.

D2) Explain How the Use of Presentation Techniques Can Be Used to Overcome
Capacity and Production Planning Problems.