Daytime

Medium to Long Term Planning
• Types of Production Systems
• Production Planning Objectives
• Consequences of Poor Planning
• Planning Horizons
• Developing the Master Production schedule (MPS)
• Strategies for Smoothing Demand

Medium to Short Term Planning
• Materials Requirements Planning (MRPI)
• Planning Inputs and Outputs
• Capacity Planning
• The Importance of Data Accuracy
• MRPI v MRPII v ERP
• Shop Floor scheduling and Control
• The Control Process and Importance of Feedback

Production Planning and Just-in-Time
• Internal and External Customer/Supplier Relationships
• Principles of Just-in-Time – Waste Elimination
• Kanban – Understanding and Application
• The Importance of Employee Involvement

This course introduces the various stages of production planning and the relationship between each stage. Participants will learn the interdependencies of each stage and the importance of considering available capacities. Appropriate strategies for everyday application will be developed including some important inventory control techniques. For example the principles and application of Just-in-Time and Kanban will be examined in detail.

The understanding and use of MRPI as a tool in planning is a core element of the course. The development of MRPI as part of MRPII and ERP will be explained and put into context. Participants will understand the benefits and pitfalls of using MRP and the degree to which it can be used in support of a manual system. Emphasis will be placed on combining theory with practical application therefore a combination of short lectures, individual & group discussions and exercises will be used.

The two day course comprises a combination of lectures and workshops.