Scheduling Techniques

There are many techniques to schedule shop orders through a plant, but all of them require an understanding of forward and backward scheduling as well as finite and infinite loading. So, there are a few scheduling techniques such as Forward Scheduling, Backward Scheduling, Infinite Loading, and Finite Loading.

Forward Loading

• Forward scheduling is uesd to calculate how long it will take to complete a task. The technique is used for purposes such as developing promise dates for customers or figuring out whether an older behind schedule can be caught up.

Backward Scheduling

• Backward scheduling is used to determine when an order must be started. Backward scheduling is common in industry because it reduce inventory.

Infinite Loading

• Infinite loading is made that the workstations on which operations 1, 2, and 3 are done have capacity available when required. It does not consider the existence of other shop orders competing for capacity at these work centers. It assumes infinite capacity will be available.

Finite Loading

• Finite loading assumes there is a defined limit to available capacity at any workstation. If there is not enough capacity available at a workstation because of other shop orders, the order has to be scheduled in a different time period.