Steps or Elements of Production Planning and Control
By coordinating various tasks, production control entails carrying out the production plans in accordance with the scheduled timelines. It aims to make sure that production processes go according to schedule. It controls the direction and progress of the production work. The seamless operation of the manufacturing system, the orderly flow of materials, the operation of the equipment, and monitoring production plan deviations are its main concerns. It guarantees that manufacturing activity is actually carried out in compliance with the production schedules, routing, and programmes.
1. Estimating
It entails choosing the output volume to be produced based on the sales prediction. In order to achieve the predicted production targets, it also determines the quantities of labour, equipment, and tools needed. The timing of material supply and the amount of inventory are also determined.
2. Planning
This is a crucial step in the planning and management of manufacturing. It alludes to making decisions on future actions in advance. separating an organization’s operational functions from its marketing planning functions. The cornerstone of effective production control is production planning.
3. Loading
The assignment of specific tasks to people, tools, and work centres depends on where their qualified abilities come from. Data about the amount of time needed to complete a task, the overall workload capacity of each person and machine, and the availability of people and equipment are needed for loading. The anticipated use of people and machinery is displayed on a loading chart. Utilizing the productive capacities during loading
4. Scheduling
It determines when work needs to be completed or when an operation needs to be carried out. Since it forms the foundation for all subsequent production procedures, it is a crucial component of production control. It allots time for each production process. Priorities are assigned to each task during scheduling, which then determines when and how they should be released to the plant.
The creation of a master schedule, which depicts the plant’s total production programme for a specific time period, is the first step in scheduling. It displays a breakdown of production by week or month.
5. Dispatching
When permission is obtained to commence operation in accordance with the prepared plans, actual production after routing and scheduling starts. Giving the appropriate authorization to begin the task in accordance with the timetable is part of dispatching. The production department receives work orders and authorizations to complete the tasks in accordance with the programme that has been planned. It is the process that starts production on schedule. To conduct the dispatching function at a manufacturing plant, the following actions must be taken:
giving the required instructions, authority, and work orders to begin the work as planned
authorising the use of equipment and a set schedule by the production department.
Keep track of the times that each process began and ended.
6. Progressing or expediting or follow- up
Management’s control objective is focused with measuring results against performance benchmarks. It is equally concerned with identifying variations in the execution of production plans and sets up the necessary corrective actions to get things back in line. Only when production plans are improved by accelerating or following function do they acquire significance. This role makes sure that the job is completed according to schedule and that delivery deadlines are reached.
7. Inspection
It is done to make sure that the target level of production quality was attained or not. It involves comparing the work’s quality to defined standards. Production control checks that the goods are manufactured accurately and on schedule in addition to making sure they are delivered as promised. this is accomplished by looking at manufactured goods. Examining products is done in order to compare their quality to the previously established best-quality product. It works well as a production control tool.
