Description

The primary functions of the Capacity Planning module are to:

·      Define the labor and machine capacity of each workcenter

·     Schedule planned operations.  Capacity Planning determines the labor required each day at each operation to meet the production schedule that was generated through the Master Scheduling and Requirements Planning modules. 

·     Calculate the load placed on each workcenter and compare it with that workcenter's capacity to determine where capacity problems exist.

Capacity Planning determines what production is planned by retrieving manufacturing order information from the Inventory Control module and flow authorization information from the Just-in-Time module.  It then uses the routing and workcenter standards defined in Manufacturing Engineering to determine the labor requirements for each operation and to calculate the load on each workcenter.

Defining Capacity.  For each workcenter, you define labor and machine capacity in hours based on the number of people and machines available per day for a specified period.  You should define the effective capacity, rather than the theoretical capacity, of the workcenter.  Effective capacity adjusts for less-than-perfect utilization and efficiency.

Scheduling Planned Operations.  The operations required to complete manufacturing orders and flow authorizations are scheduled when the planned orders/flow authorizations are added.  This scheduling, called labor requirements generation, is based on the due dates.  When the Shop Floor Control module is not installed, labor requirements are also generated for firmed and released manufacturing orders.

Labor requirements for planned orders and flow authorizations are rescheduled when:

·     The planned quantity, start date, due date, or status has changed.

·      Changes that affect scheduling were made to the part being manufactured.  These changes were posted to the Part Master File during Routing File Maintenance.

·      Changes that affect scheduling were made to the workcenter where the production is scheduled.  These changes were posted to the Workcenter File during Workcenter Maintenance.

Load Reporting.  Load summary reports and inquiries define the load on each workcenter during selected periods.  Load detail reports and inquiries describe the load for each operation at a workcenter during a specific period.  Either labor or machine load information can be requested.