A master production schedule, or MPS, is a tool manufacturers and planners use to plan and organize the production process. It is a comprehensive plan that outlines the specific materials, resources, and activities needed to produce a product or service. The MPS is often used in conjunction with other production planning tools, such as the bill of materials (BOM) and capacity requirement planning (CRP).
The MPS is typically created to optimize the production efficiency, meet customer demands, and ensure that products are delivered on time and within budget. The MPS also includes the quantity and quality of the product that must be produced and the order in which production will take place.
The MPS is the overall plan that guides the production of a product or service. It is used to schedule the production of components and materials and ensure that all resources are available to complete the production process. The MPS is not only used to optimize production efficiency, but also to anticipate and plan for potential delays, shortages, or other problems that may arise during the production process.
The MPS must be regularly updated and adjusted as new information and requirements become available. It is important to keep the MPS current and up-to-date to ensure that the production process is being managed and optimized effectively.
In order to create and maintain an accurate MPS, several jobs must be completed. The following is a list of some of the specific jobs involved in producing a master production schedule:
- Production Scheduler: Responsible for creating and maintaining the MPS, including setting up the production timeline, ordering materials, and scheduling activities.
- Production Control Engineer: Responsible for monitoring production operations and ensuring that the MPS is being followed.
- Production Manager: Responsible for overseeing the entire production process and ensuring that the MPS is being followed.
- Quality Control: Responsible for ensuring that the quality of the product meets the standards outlined in the MPS.
- Inventory Manager: Responsible for ensuring that the necessary materials and components are available to meet the production timeline.
- Process Improvement Manager: Responsible for identifying potential problems and inefficiencies in the production process and making recommendations for improvement.
Creating and maintaining a master production schedule is a complex and time-consuming process. However, it is an essential part of the production process and contributes greatly to the efficiency and success of the product or service. By having an accurate and up-to-date MPS in place, manufacturers and production planners are better equipped to anticipate and plan for potential delays or shortages, and ensure that products are delivered on time and within budget.
