Scheduling approaches are short term implementation plans for a production industry. Therefore, schedule approaches like just in time production, and e-business in the supply chain describes which activities should be performed, and how the organization is to do that. There are assumptions that must be made in a scheduling plan. These include, fix number of jobs, and time allocation for job completion. This allows for analysis of starting time, idle time, completing time and lateness. In addition, well planned scheduling approaches can enable calculation of task completion time. Thus, in the long run they help in saving time since every activity is planned prior to its implementation (Chase et al., 2006).
Manufacturing processes like job shops, batch jobs, continuous flow and assembly applies the same principles like the scheduling approaches discussed above. Job shops allow manufacturing businesses to undertake job production with ease. Scheduling approaches majorly focus on time allocations; however, job shops put emphasis on specialized skills and processes in the manufacturing process. Thus, when each job is completed, job shop moves into different jobs, even with different customers. On the other hand, assembly manufacturing lines assemble operations. These are either done at the assembly line or multiple stations. Therefore, they are planned and scheduled such that the returns for the high cost and labor are achieved. In a continuous process flow, the work is scheduled such that a product moves through its process path through an uninterrupted flow. Thus, it enables timely planning and implementation of the detailed activities. Finally, batch processing allows for implementation of a series of given jobs. It allows for time shifting when the batches are not busy. In addition, it allows for prioritization and avoids idling time as observed in just in time production.
References
Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.
