Factories operate through their machines but require operational decisions to function. Business results depend on decisions about which products to manufacture today, the required production volume, machine selection, and delivery schedule. The production planning process, production control establishes decision-making frameworks that maintain reliable and efficient production operations.
What is Product Planning and Control?
Production planning and control (PPC) helps a business plan production and ensure it runs as intended. It links demand with actual output by deciding what, how much, and when to produce based on resources and requirements. Control tracks production progress after production starts, while it fixes problems such as delays and material shortages. Planning creates a path for production to follow, while control keeps production running smoothly through its entire process.
Real World Examples of Production Planning and Control
It is important to understand each component of PPC from a shop floor perspective.
Routing: The Path of Work
Routing describes an ordered list of steps customers expect a service to go through, e.g., the steps in a service to cut, form, and assemble a part of a furniture unit, in which it is clear if the wood is to go to cutting or polishing first, thus minimizing confusion and the movement of materials.
Scheduling: Setting Times
Scheduling is responsible for the time limits to the various steps, and also has to determine the starting and finishing times of the tasks. Scheduling takes into consideration the available workforce, the machinery at hand, and the time taken for the production process on previous occasions to avoid delays.
Dispatching: Starting work without delays
Dispatching initiates production work by issuing work orders that provide task instructions to workers.
It manages all necessary resources by verifying that machines, materials, and instructions are fully prepared, which allows production to proceed without any interruptions.
Follow-Ups: Tracking daily progress
The follow-up process monitors all work activities by measuring actual output against established performance targets.
The production schedule remains on track because managers respond to delays by redistributing workers and modifying their assigned duties.
Inspection: Keeping quality in check
The inspection process ensures products meet required standards throughout their development process until their final testing stage. Early identification of defects enables rapid correction.
The process prevents major financial losses that occur when defective items proceed to their ultimate production phase.