Techniques of Production Planning and Control

Techniques of Production Planning and Control

Techniques of Production Planning and Control (PPC) are essential for optimizing manufacturing processes. Key techniques include planning, which involves setting production goals and determining necessary resources; routing, which defines the path materials take through the production process; scheduling, which allocates time for each task; dispatching, which initiates production activities; follow-up, which monitors progress and ensures adherence to the plan; and inspection, which ensures quality control¹. These techniques collectively enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure timely delivery of products.

For Production Planning and Control, four techniques are required, which are as follows:

1. Routing

   Routing means to determine the Process of Production and different stages of production, beforehand. The word ‘Routing’ is used for this purpose. Under ‘routing’ that route’ is set at which the entire Production Process is to be carried out and raw material will be converted into finished goods. In simple words, routing means the selection of such Production methods, on which raw material will be processed from raw material to finished products.

2. Scheduling

   The literal meaning of schedule is a table or list, but under Production Control, ‘Scheduling’ means, ‘determination of a time schedule to start and complete production activities under a fixed sequence’. Scheduling means time management of production activities which will take place from start to completion. In simple words, the schedule is such a list or table’, that all the production activities will take place according to that table. With the help of scheduling, such a timetable is prepared, which shows according to predetermined serial, which activity of production will start and when it will be completed. For example – The train time schedule shows when and where the train will arrive and what would be its destination. In the same manner, in scheduling the time of production is indicated for different products when production will be started and what would be the time of its completion.

3. Dispatching

   Dispatching means to start work. For this order related information is given to the employee to start work. Dispatching is an important part of Production Control and the material, labor, and machines that are required to fulfill the production orders come under dispatching. The main functions of dispatching are –
   1- To send appropriate types of material to production sites from godowns and stores.
   2- To give orders by the machine department to send machines and other related equipment to reach production sites before starting any production activity.
   3- Issuing orders to start production, so that production can be completed in time and before the predetermined time frame.
   4- For every work order preparation of schedule charts, demand letters, operating letters, signs & logos for identification, distribution of work-load, and target for every machine, etc are determined.
   5- To give orders for supervision in the different stages of production.

4. Follow-up or Expediting

   No system of Production Management is called complete until it is completed according to its pre-determined schedule. Thus, it is the duty of those persons, who are engaged in Follow-up to supervise production work carefully. It is better to keep its record and after comparing from pre-set standards, if any difference is found it must be reported immediately. The main objective of Follow-up is to supervise whether production is going according to the plan or not. If there is any hurdle, it must be removed.
   If it is found that progress is slow in any field, removing this hurdle also comes under the activities of Follow-up.

Elements of Production Planning and Control

Production planning determines what the production function would be, the time of production, where it would happen, and what the best and most economical methods would be to do it. All, the activities related to production are studied under it, so that, production of the best quality and in appropriate quantity, can be done in time at minimum cost.