Master production schedule (MPS), Master scheduling process,

Master production schedule (MPS)

This schedule indicates the quantity & timing of planned completed production

• Breaking down the aggregate plan into specific product requirements
• The heart of production planning & control

The Master Scheduler

The duties of the master scheduler generally include

• Evaluating the impact of new orders

• Providing delivery dates for orders

• Dealing  with  problems

- Evaluate impact of production delays or late deliveries
- Revise the master schedule when necessary
- Bringing instances of insufficient capacity to the attention of production & marketing personnel so that they can participate in resolving conflicts

Master scheduling process

A master schedule indicates the quantity & timing (delivery times) for a product, or a group of products, but it does not show planned production.

Time fence: Points in time that separate phases of a master schedule planning horizon

- Divide scheduling time horizon into three section/phase Frozen, Slushy & Liquid

Frozen is near-term phase, delivery of a new order would be impossible or only possible using very costly or extraordinary options such as delaying another order

Slushy is the next phase, order entry in this phase necessitates trade-offs less costly

Liquid is the farthest out on horizon, new orders or cancellations can be entered with ease