Why is scheduling fairly simple for repetitive systems but fairly complex for job shops? Scheduling for repetitive systems is fairly simple because the activities and equipment used is the same. This goes for high-volume and medium volume systems because the productions are the similar. Scheduling for job shops is more difficult because the products formed are customized or of a personal nature and therefore are not mass produced. Stevenson,
What problems not generally found in manufacturing systems do service systems present in terms of scheduling the use of resources? Customer requirements in service systems generally present very different circumstances than those encountered in manufacturing systems. Some services can use appointments and reservations for scheduling purposes, although not all systems are amenable to this. When multiple resources are involved, the task of balancing the system can be fairly complex.
Explain forward and backward schedulings and each one’s advantage.
- Forward scheduling : Scheduling ahead from a point in time. Forward scheduling is used if the issue is “How long will it take to complete this job?” Forward scheduling enables the scheduler to determine the earliest possible completion time for each job and, thus, the amount of lateness or the amount of slack can be determined.
- Backward scheduling: Scheduling backward from a due date. Backward scheduling would be used if the issue is “When is the latest the job can be started and still be completed by the due date?” With backward scheduling the scheduler is able to determine if the due date can be met.
