MBA576 Week 4 Peer Response

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Scheduling Methodology

Katelyn Franklin

Park University

MBA576: Operations Management

Dr. Kevin Loy

September 7, 2021

Abstract

Scheduling methodologies carry an importance to the success or dismay of operations management. With every project or task comes the need to prioritize business with the best efficacy capable without compensating mission and values of the company. There are several methodologies available to model from but should take into account the operatives of the business. A scheduling methodology should take all factors into account in a business and while not bulletproof can lead to success.

Keywords: scheduling, methodologies, first come, first serve (FCFS), shortest processing time (SPT), earliest due date (EDD), critical ratio (CR), slack per operation (S/O), Rush, Gnatt chart

Scheduling Methodologies

As Kibby and Strand continues to grow and serve communities across the globe, it is crucial that we address scheduling concerns that impact all departments. These concerns and possible barriers can be yielded with strategic planning and methodology when it comes to accepting and prioritizing contracts. The scheduling of contracts impacts contracting, receiving, production, and shipping. By abiding by a scheduling method, Kibby and Strand is equipping all staff with company resources amongst all departments in the understanding of the methodology best fit for the company. There are several methodologies to consider is prioritizing contracts. In Operations Management, Stevenson, includes the following models:

· First come, first served (FCFS): Jobs are processed in the order in which they arrive at a machine or work center.

· Shortest processing time (SPT): Jobs are processed according to processing time at a machine or work center, shortest job first.

· Earliest due date (EDD): Jobs are processed according to due date, earliest due date first.

· Critical ratio (CR): Jobs are processed according to smallest ratio of time remaining until due date to processing time remaining.

· Slack per operation (S/O): Jobs are processed according to average slack time.

· Rush: Emergency or preferred customers first.

Methodology Evaluation Matrix

The FCFS method consists of jobs processing at arrival, potentially negating little wait time to get the processing started. However, there would be concerns of additional contracts coming through with outstanding factors impacting capacity, i.e., quantity size, due date, etc. (Berg, 2016). The SPT method processes the shorts jobs first, this frees up capacity for other jobs, but does not account for longer term contracts as shorter contracts are continuously introduced in the model. The EDD method completes earliest due contracts, closing the gap of opportunity for late work. However, the EDD method there is a potential for an increase in inventories and holding costs while awaiting other contracts in priority (Berg, 2016). The CR method accounts for due dates, also closing the gap on possibility for late work, but leaves other jobs and their factors left unaddressed in the meantime. S/O method accounts for due dates and processing times, shifting priority to the jobs calculated with the highest priority. The downfall to this method is the need to consistently access changes in new contracts, inventory factors, etc. (Berg, 2016) The Rush method processes preferred customers and emergencies first, not allowing customers to be treated equally and receiving the same care from Kibby and Strand. This method also requires consistent evaluation in scheduling as new contracts are introduced into the model (Berg, 2016).

Recommendation

With Kibby and Strand’s continued business growth and sustained customer base, the slack per operation methodology would provide an all-inclusive approach to company goals while maintaining the mission of putting customer needs first. The slack per operation method is used in the formulation of calculating the slack time (due date minus processing time), divided by the number of existing contracts (Stevenson, 2020). The result of the slack per operation will set the priority of each contract- the least value being the highest priority.

Using the slack per operation method, the company can put the customer first by treating all customers equally and not allowing time to compensate quality of product or timeliness. This method also allows for the process to free up capacity as the smallest values of slack/processing time are completed; allowing the next in priority to be processed. While this method does require continuous evaluation and monitoring it has the ability to include processing times and due dates while achieving on time, quality work for Kibby and Stand customers.

Gantt Chart

Memorandum

Mr. Short,

With the increase in business Kibby and Strand is currently experiencing and projecting in the coming months, I have conducted research on a strategic approach in our scheduling methodology once contracts are received. Implementing a project scheduling strategy is going to be crucial for our production department to maintain and sustain operations throughout this growth. With the knowledge of our operational processes and management, I do recommend we implement the slack per operation approach as it will guide the contracts into Kibby and Strand based on process time and due date. This is an all-inclusive methodology as we will not compensate quality for timeliness. This will keep our company on track in deadlines, while taking capacity and customer care into account. It is of upmost importance to me to lead my team into success and this growth be positive and not defeating. I believe with this method and continuous evaluation and tracking of contracts from beginning to end, Kibby and Strand will joyously meet our customers’ needs. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback with the attached research and analysis.

Sincerely,

Katelyn Franklin, Production Manager

References

Berg, M. (2016, October 26). Operations planning & scheduling. Small Business - Chron.com. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/operations-planning-scheduling-65293.html.

Stevenson, W. J. (2020). Operations management (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

ClientProductQuantity

Processing Time

in weeks

Due Date in

weeksS/O Priority

Stallion

ApparelJean Jackets2505 60.200

Gold ButtonWool Coat4756 90.600

Burgundy

FashionWool Coat3455.580.500

EcowolfHunting Pant560790.400

TaffysFashion Jean6008.5100.300