Production planning and control is an important task of a Production Manager. It has to see that the production process is properly decided in advance and is carried out as per the plan. Production is related to the conversion of raw materials into finished goods. This conversion process involves several steps such as deciding what to produce, how to produce, when to produce, etc. These decisions are a part of production planning. Merely deciding about the task is not sufficient.
The whole process should be carried out in the best possible way and at the lowest cost. The Production Manager will have to see that things proceed as per the plans. This is a control function and has to be carried out as meticulously as planned. Both planning and control of production are necessary to produce better quality goods at reasonable prices and in a most systematic manner.
Production planning is the function of looking ahead and anticipating difficulties to be faced and the likely remedial steps to remove them. It may be said to be a technique of forecasting ahead every step in the long process of production, taking them at the right time and to the right degree and trying to complete the operations at maximum efficiency. Production control, on the other hand, guides and directs the flow of production so that products are manufactured in the best way and conform to a planned schedule and are of the right quality. Control facilitates the task of manufacturing and sees that everything goes as per the plans.
Charles A. Koepke:
“Production planning and control is the coordination of a series of functions according to a plan which will economically utilize the plant facilities and regulate the orderly movement of goods through the entire manufacturing cycle, from the procurement of all materials to the shipping of finished goods at a predetermined rate.”
James L. Lundy:
“Basically, the production control function involves the coordination and integration of the factors of production for optimum efficiency. Overall sales orders or plans must be translated into specific schedules and assigned to occupy all work centres but overload none. The job can be done formally in which case elaborate charting and filing techniques are used; or it can be done informally, with individuals’ thoughts and retention thereof supplanting tangible aids.”
Golden B. Carson:
“Production planning and control involves generally the organization and planning of the manufacturing process. Specifically, it consists of the planning of the routing, scheduling, dispatching and inspection, coordination and control of materials, methods, machines, tooling and operating times. The ultimate objective is the organization of the supply and movement of materials and labour, machine utilization and related activities, to bring about the desired manufacturing results in terms of quantity, time and place.”
The following are the objectives of production planning and control functions:
Systematic planning of production activities to achieve the highest efficiency in the production of goods/services.
Organize the production facilities like machines, men, etc., to achieve stated production objectives concerning quantity and quality time and cost.
Optimum scheduling of resources.
Coordinate with other departments relating to production to achieve regularly balanced and uninterrupted production flow.
To confirm delivery commitments.
Materials planning and control.
To be able to make adjustments due to changes in demand and rush orders.
The importance of production planning and control is summarized below:
Better Service to Customers: Production planning and control, through proper scheduling and expediting of work, helps in providing better services to customers in terms of a better quality of goods at reasonable prices as per promised delivery dates. Delivery on time and proper quality, both help in winning the confidence of customers, improving relations with customers and promoting profitable repeat orders.
Fewer Rush Orders: In an organization, where there is an effective system of production planning and control, production operations move smoothly as per original planning and matching with the promised delivery dates. Consequently, there will be fewer rush orders in the plant and less overtime than, in the same industry, without adequate production planning and control.
Better Control of Inventory: A sound system of production planning and control helps in maintaining inventory at proper levels and, thereby, minimizing investment in inventory. It requires a lower inventory of work-in-progress and less finished stock to give efficient service to customers. It also helps in exercising better control over raw-material inventory, which contributes to more effective purchasing.
More Effective Use of Equipment: An efficient system of production planning and control makes for the most effective use of equipment. It provides information to the management regularly about the present position of all orders in process and equipment and personnel requirements for the next few weeks. The workers can be communicated well in advance if any retrenchment, lay-offs, transfer, etc. is likely to come about. Also, unnecessary purchases of equipment and materials can be avoided. Thus, it is possible to ensure proper utilization of equipment and other resources.
Reduced Idle Time: Production planning and control help in reducing idle time i.e. loss of time by workers waiting for materials and other facilities; because ensures that materials and other facilities are available to the workers in time as per the production schedule. Consequently, fewer man-hours are lost, which has a positive impact on the cost of production.
Improved Plant Morale: An effective system of production planning and control coordinates the activities of all the departments involved in the production activity. It ensures an even flow of work and avoids rush orders. It maintains healthy working conditions in the plant thus, it improves plant morale as a by-product.
Good public image: A proper system of production planning and control helps keep systematized operations in an organization. Such an organization is in a position to meet its orders in time to the satisfaction of its customers. Customer satisfaction leads to increased sales, increased profits, industrial harmony and ultimately a good public image of the enterprise.
Lower capital requirements: Under a sound system of production planning and control, everything relating to production is planned well in advance of operations. Where, when and what is required in the form of input is known before the actual production process starts. Inputs are made available as per schedule which ensures an even flow of production without any bottlenecks. Facilities are used more effectively and inventory levels are kept as per schedule neither more nor less. Thus, production planning and control help in minimizing capital investment in equipment and inventories.
Main elements of production planning & control
The following are the main elements of Production Planning and Control.
Routing
Loading
Scheduling
Dispatching
Follow up
Inspection
Corrective
1. Routing
It is about the selection of a path or route through which raw materials pass to make it into a finished product. The points to be noted while the routing process is – the full capacity of machines, economical and short routes and availability of alternate routing. Setting up time for the process for each stage of the route is to be fixed. Once overall sequences are fixed, then the standard time of operations is noted using the work measurement technique.
Loading and scheduling
Loading and Scheduling are concerned with the preparation of workloads and fixing the starting and completion date of each operation. Based on the performance of each machine, loading and scheduling tasks are completed.
Dispatching
Dispatching is the routine of setting productive activities in motion through the release of orders and instructions, by previously planned time and sequence, embodied in route sheets and schedule charts. It is here the orders are released.
Expediting / Follow-up
It is a control tool which brings an idea of breaking up, delaying, rectifying errors etc., during the progress of work.
Inspection
Inspection is to find out the quality of the executed work process.
Corrective
During the evaluation process, a thorough analysis is done and corrective measures are taken in the weaker spots.
Comments