ABSTRACT
Every production manager dreams of always being able to meet delivery deadlines without idle or standby time for workers or equipment. Production scheduling is a management method for ensuring that goods and/or information are provided to customers on time. Each process is evaluated and scored on how much it contributes toward on-schedule delivery. This principle applies to administrative and staff processes as well. Production scheduling at the level-one factory is a confused mess. Production managers are stuck between a rock and a hard place: on the one hand, customers are upset that deliveries are late and want their orders to get top priority. Production scheduling should include everything from preparation of raw materials to completion of the final product. Delays in shipments to customers have finally been eliminated, thanks in part to the new customer-focused attitude that keeps goods moving on schedule from process to process.
