IS YOUR MASTER PRODUCTION SCHEDULE FEASIBLE?

With the coming of material requirements planning (MRP) systems, the master production schedule (MPS) has become a very important subject. The MPS drives the MRP system. In order for the MPS to properly drive MRP, it must be realistic. More MRP systems have failed because of overly optimistic schedules than any other reason. Even shops without MRP systems must have a good MPS to exercise proper production control. The purpose of this article is to present some techniques which can be used as a check on the MPS to insure feasibility. Feasibility usually involves either plant capacity and/or product mix constraints. This article looks at both of these constraints and it also considers feasibility in a job shop environment.