Knowledge-based systems approach to the development of accurate and realistic master production schedules

Abstract

In today's dynamic and highly competitive market environment, the ever changing customer requirements often destabilize master production schedules. It is often necessary to analyse the effects of any changes in quantities, priorities, due dates, etc., in a timely manner and incorporate them into a revised master production schedule which must continue to be realistic and achievable. This paper describes the design and application of a knowledge-based system that can be used to help with the creation, testing and finalization of accurate and realistic master production schedules. The system can test the validity of a tentative master production schedule or evaluate the effects of any changes in an existing one with the aim of identifying any bottlenecks that will prevent its actual achievement. With the effective use of what-if analysis and simulation techniques, the system makes it possible to consider all of the alternative solutions and take due account of the operational and business realities of the environment. Therefore, the management can choose, over a short period of time and in an interactive manner, the best possible solutions to the problems of a given master production schedule.

Keywords

master production schedules knowledge-based systems what-if analysis simulation

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