Despite a good many of books published in English and related to the production planning field, till present time, as far as the author knows, there is no book that uses a uniform approach to the most varied tasks of schedule theory based on some relatively new ideas about the production schedules properties – its dynamism. This situation inspired the author to present an English translation of his Russian-language book.
The publication covers 15 tasks what is three more tasks than in the Russian edition. The added last 3 chapters relate to tasks of great complexity. Their inclusion in this book demonstrates great possibilities of the described planning method.
15 tasks in the book cover both order planning and in stock planning; some tasks are typical for discrete production; the other part is for process production. Thus, the proposed calculation method can be used in wide variety of industries. Each of the 15 described problems is solved using a numerical example, the data for which are described in detail, and the resulting solution is analyzed using tables and graphs. In addition, application of the task is considered in the dynamics when recalculating in the new conditions with a new planning date and a new task.
In all considered tasks, the generated schedules fully take into account the workshop schedule, including the operation mode of each shift. If the work can be interrupted (for example, in discrete production), the program fully uses the available reserve of daily working time. If there is not enough time, the work is transferred to the next working day automatically.
The book mainly covers production flexibility in release of various product modifications and alternation of various products release. This type of flexibility is a consequence of group planning use, in which groups are formed according to the type of jobs performed. As is known, the use of technological grouping of jobs provides a small cost of the transition from one job to another within the group.
The purpose of the book is, firstly, to demonstrate the capabilities of the method described, and, secondly, to provide developers of production schedules with specific software solutions applicable to the most of industries. Open texts, explanations in the book and numerous comments to the programs allows employees of enterprises and educational institutions to bring the programs to practical use independently.
