Question

What are the pitfalls that stakeholders must overcome to run a smooth and efficient operation? Why is scheduling fairly simple for repetitive systems but fairly complex for job shops?

Answer 1

Pitfalls that stakeholders must overcome include:

1. Everybody on different platform. Inadequate data/knowledge sharing between different stakeholders may lead to everybody being on different platform.

2. Attending grievances: Every stakeholder may not always agree to the same solution. It is necessary that they understand the reason for the adaptation of the solution. This will lead to approval from everybody and smooth running of operation.

3. Influence of external information may somethimes lead to stakeholders having a different view of the company. The stakeholders should trust the information shared by the company and verify its externally recieved information before coming to a conclusion.

Scheduling for repetitve system is easier because, in repetitive systems the same set of products made over and over. The only thing that you need to know for scheduling is what quantity needs to be manufactured and at what time. The inventory maintained is significantly lower. Setup needn't be adjusted every time, just change the tool and run the same program when required.

Job shop operation is meant for manufacturing variety of products which are different in size and shape. Scheduling in this case becomes difficult because, you are not supposed to maintain excess inventory for every variant. The cycle time and setup time and format along with tooling is different for different variant. Since you can't maintain a lot of inventory, you need to know exactly what quantity of what unit needs to be manufactured and what time. Else the company may end up with having a lot of tied up working capital in the form of semi finished and finished goods.