Scheduling refers to timing and sequences of operations.
It is an important segment of the production planning & control activity as well as the service operations like plant maintenance.
Importance of scheduling
- Facilitates optimum use of highly paid maintenance staff
- Equipment can be utilized effectively
- Eliminates undue interruptions in the production flow
- Eliminates chances of sudden breakdown
- Facilitates proper sequence in maintenance service
Requirements for Schedulers
A scheduler should also have knowledge about job, techniques, facilities, analytical ability and judgmental courage. The scheduler must obtain knowledge/information about following ability and judgmental courage. The scheduler must obtain information about following facts, before starting his job:
1. Manpower availability by trade, location, shift, crew arrangement and permissible overtime limit etc.
2. Man hour back log on current or unfinished jobs.
3. Availability of the equipment or area where the work has to be performed.
4. Availability of proper tools, tackles, spares, consumables, structural and other required materials.
5. Availability of external manpower and their capabilities; these may be from other shops/ departments of the plant or from contractors (local, nearby, ancillary etc.).
6. Availability of special equipment, jigs/fixtures, special lifting and handling facilities and cranes etc. This should also include labour and time saving devices like pneumatic hammers and excavators etc.
7. Starting date of the job; also often completion time of total job is predetermined and, in that case, resources are to be arranged accordingly.
8. Past schedules and charts (updated) if the same job has been done earlier, etc.
