Introduction
Master Scheduling refers to the definition and planning of the various components involved in a given project such that it highlights the steps and materials to be employed to achieve a given objective (Murray, 2019). The main aim of the master schedule is to ensure that all the resources such as finances and human are used with maximum efficiency hence achieving the maximum output. In this paper I will describe Master Scheduling, Synchronize Planning and Control across a Supply Chain
Master Scheduling
The time required for the completion of a given objective or project is the main component of the schedule. It also highlights the connections that all the activities involved in an offered project share. The program is usually documented. Hence it can be classified as an important official document. It is created in such a way they can affects work with an organization’s system and is based on the specific products offered (Murray, 2019). Master schedulers are the people given the responsibility in a given project to install and implement the most appropriate scheduling practices. They are supposed to create, execute and monitor the entire scheduling system.
The technique can be effectively utilized in a firm that focuses on the manufacturing of various products. For instance, it can be employed in firms that deal with the production of electrical-related products. In this situation, it helps in comparing the production output, and the amount demanded. It is usually the step following in the planning processes employed by manufacturing companies after the sales and operation planning. The data and information obtained from the initial stage help in creating an active master schedule. The schedule explains the appropriate time to produce electrical products hence being able to satisfy the customers’ demands (Murray, 2019). It also highlights the possible remaining manufacturing capacity, which remains available to meet the new needs of the customers. In the manufacturing sector, the master schedule contains information concerning the demand expected in the future, the orders that already booked inventory levels that are projected, the quantities of products produced at a given time and the available amount for the customers.
Master Scheduling is employed to enhance the supply chain in various companies. I work for Discover Financial Services in a software field, where we provide different services and tools/applications to various customers within the organization. Sometimes, managing the supply chain sector in an organization is hard (Dombroski, 2017). During the hype seasons (other than the freeze time, Christmas holidays), there are a lot of orders that originate from the clients to get help from our team to provide automation solutions using the software coding or tools. The company is forced to provide help to its maximum limits. However, there still exist seasons whereby there are only a few orders placed by customers (during the Christmas holidays). In this particular time, the need for help on tools/coding/automation is less, the cost for each tool/service is calculate based on all days, but cannot be avoided by the holiday times and thus profits earned during that period reduces. The scheduling technique is used to assist in dealing with vast demands, scheduling the needs from various teams and in the validation and management of automation/coding/tools support in the supply chain (Oracle, 2017).
Synchronizing the various plans into the supply chain involves focusing on methods that account for multiple functions which happen simultaneously. That will help in reducing the chances of efforts duplication and also helps in avoiding conflicting goals. The planning and control aimed at ensuring all the production processes are in line with each other. The initial step involves looking at the various planning and scheduling processes employed in the company (Dombroski, 2017). This helps in giving a comprehensive understanding of the operations involved hence being able to decide the best master schedule to use. Supply chain aspects are usually affected by the planning and scheduling processes installed in an organization. Therefore, synchronizing planning and control across the supply chain involves linking the production planning and master schedule.
Conclusion
Therefore, the manufacturers are required to implement a master schedule, which will help improve the processes involved hence no opportunity missed during the hype season and no losses made during the low season. Applying the master scheduling technique, synchronize planning and control across a supply chain in projects and operations in a given organization helps in ensuring that a given company has been able to take control of the existing resources.
References
Dombroski, S. (2017). The key to managing the supply chain in challenging economic times. Retrieved from Supply chain.Dive: https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/operations-planning-scheduling-forecasting-supply-chain/446142/
Katana. (2018). The Only Master Production Schedule Guide You’ll Ever Need. Retrieved from KATANA: https://katanamrp.com/blog/master-production-schedule
MURRAY, M. (2019). Master Scheduling Tracks Manufacturing Output. Retrieved from Small busicesses: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/master-scheduling-2221212
Oracle. (2017). Master Scheduling in Supply Chain Planning. Retrieved from Oracle apllication: https://docs.oracle.com/cd/A60725_05/html/comnls/us/mrp/mrssched.htm