How do you use production planning software to optimize your shop floor scheduling and sequencing?

1 Define your objectives and constraints

Before you start using your production planning software, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what limitations you have. For example, you may want to maximize your throughput, minimize your lead time, reduce your inventory, or improve your quality. You also need to consider your available capacity, demand, deadlines, costs, and quality standards. By defining your objectives and constraints, you can set up your production planning software to align with your goals and priorities.

2 Choose the right scheduling and sequencing methods

Your production planning software may offer different methods for scheduling and sequencing your production orders. Scheduling is the process of assigning start and finish dates and times to your orders, while sequencing is the process of determining the order in which your orders are processed. Depending on your production environment, you may use different criteria and rules for scheduling and sequencing, such as due date, priority, setup time, processing time, or batch size. You should choose the methods that best suit your objectives and constraints, and test and compare different scenarios to find the optimal solution.

3 Use real-time data and feedback

One of the main benefits of production planning software is that it can provide you with real-time data and feedback on your shop floor performance. You can use this information to track your progress, identify problems, and make adjustments as needed. For example, you can monitor your shop floor control metrics, such as utilization, efficiency, productivity, cycle time, or quality rate. You can also use data from sensors, machines, or operators to detect deviations, bottlenecks, or errors. By using real-time data and feedback, you can improve your visibility and responsiveness, and ensure that your production planning software reflects the actual situation on the shop floor.

4 Integrate with other systems and processes

Your production planning software is not a standalone tool. It is part of a larger system that involves other functions and processes, such as inventory management, material requirements planning, quality control, or maintenance. To optimize your shop floor scheduling and sequencing, you need to integrate your production planning software with these other systems and processes. This way, you can ensure that your production planning software receives accurate and timely input, and that it generates output that is consistent and compatible with your other systems and processes.

5 Review and improve your production planning software

Your production planning software is not a one-time setup. It is a dynamic and evolving tool that requires regular review and improvement. You should evaluate your production planning software performance periodically, and compare it with your objectives and constraints. You should also solicit feedback from your shop floor staff, customers, and suppliers, and identify any issues or opportunities for improvement. By reviewing and improving your production planning software, you can ensure that it meets your changing needs and expectations, and that it delivers optimal results for your shop floor scheduling and sequencing.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?