Controlling, Scheduling, Routing

Controlling

Production control is the activity of monitoring and controlling any particular production or operation. Production control is often run from a specific control room or operations room. With inventory control and quality control, production control is one of the key functions of operations management.

Types

One type of production control is the control of manufacturing operations.

• Production planning and control of the when and where.
• Production control and supply chain management

Management of real-time operational in specific fields.

• Production control in the television studio in a production control room
• Master control in television studio
• Production control in spaceflight in a Mission Operations Control Room

Routing

Routing determines the path from which the raw materials flow within the factory. Once, the sequence is followed, raw materials are transformed into finished goods.

Setting up time for every step is important to measure the overall duration of the production process. Simply saying, routing in manufacturing states the sequence of work and operations. Routing throws light on the quantity and quality of materials to be used, resources involved (men, machine, and material), the series of operations and place of production.

Routing manages “How”, “What”, “How much”, & “Where” to produce in a manufacturing company. It systematizes the process and nurtures optimum utilization of resources to get the best results.

Scheduling

Scheduling is the second step that emphasizes on “When” the operation will be completed. It aims to make the most of the time given for completion of the operation.

As per Kimball and Kimball, scheduling is defined as:

“The determination of the time that should be required to perform the entire series as routed, making allowance for all factors concerned.”

Organizations use different types of schedules to manage the time element. These include Master Schedule, Operation Schedule, Daily Schedule and more.