This paper presents an approach for modelling the connection between the tasks of production planning and control (PPC) and a supply chain’s logistic objectives. Therefore a new production planning and control framework is developed. First of all , the tasks of production planning and control are described universally valid. A representation of a company’s internal supply chain with five core processes complements the framework. For each core process , a system of logistic objectives is set up. The interdependencies between the variables presented in the systems are depicted. Existing fields of tensions between opposing logistic objectives are emphasized. For calculating values for PPC parameters and beyond that for positioning a production within the indicated fields of tension, existing quantitative logistic models are located in the framework. To clarify the overall approach the model-based calculation of lot sizes for production is presented exemplar ily .
To begin with, the topic of research will be introduced. In the second step, the state of the art will be presented. Based on this, the need for research will be worked out. After that the structure and methodology of research will be introduced.
The topics of research are production planning and control and supply chain management. The mission of production planning and control is to plan the production concerning volumes and dates on a regular basis and to realize the plan despite unavoidable disruptions like delayed deliveries or the lack of staff as economically as possible [
Models can be used to represent logistic processes. Logistic models are superb tools to procure information and to support decision-making. Different types of logistic models can be distinguished. The two most important categories for the research presented in this paper are task and process models and quantitative descriptive, impact and decision-making models.
Task and process models are used to deliver references for designing tasks and processes in various areas. The Supply Chain Operations Reference Model (SCOR Model) [
Other types of logistic model are quantitative descriptive, impact and decision-making models. They are referring to interactions of concrete variables, e.g. logistic objectives. The Logistic Operating Curve Theory [
The mentioned perspectives of tasks and process models and quantitative descriptive, impact and decision-making models are combined by integrative logistic models. An established example is the manufacturing control model developed by LÖDDING [
To bridge this gap, the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model was developed. The approach of LÖDDING was extended in two ways: One the one hand vertically to additional PPC tasks and on the other hand horizontally to additional processes in a company’s internal supply chain.
Following, the methodology of research is introduced. To begin with, the rough structure of the model to be developed was defined. Several ideas were generated and one was selected. The decision was made, that there should be a PPC part and a supply chain part. After that the structure and the elements of both model parts were shaped in detail. For this reason, extensive reviews of literature were conducted. Relevant elements were selected in a systematic way.
The PPC part names the main and sub-tasks of production planning and control. The tasks are arranged in an approximate chronological and logical sequence. Terms and sequence used are based on pertinent literature [
The supply chain part depicts a company’s internal supply chain and features the most important logistic objectives. The structuring of the supply chain part is based on the structuring of the SCOR Model [
In the five core processes of a company’s internal supply chain many elements do have an impact on the logistic objectives. To set up systems following the schema developed by LÖDDING [
Looking at the core processes of a company’s internal supply chain the inputs and outputs of materials or orders are very important. For each input and each output there are planned values and actual values. In the core process dispatch you can also find a target value for the output to the customer. By fulfilling the tasks of PPC the inputs and the outputs are planned and controlled. The de facto measured inputs and outputs lead to the actual inputs and outputs of the core processes. That is why the inputs and the outputs are the actuating variables. The actuating variables affect the control variables. For all core processes the stores respectively the WIP is a control variable. The stores in the system can be calculated easily examining the inputs and the outputs. For some core processes the due date behaviour on the output side is another control variable. The quantitative backlog and the lateness of the orders can be diagnosed contrasting the actual values with the planned values. The control variables have got a direct impact on the core process specific logistic objectives. As it becomes apparent the logistic objectives are determined by the PPC tasks via the actuating variables and control variables.
To give an example,
work-in-process were identified as logistic objectives for this core process. As stated before, actuating variables (inputs and outputs) and control variables impact the logistic objectives. In the core process end production stage the work- in-process is the first control variable. The actual WIP results from the difference between the actual inputs and the actual outputs. Thus, the actual WIP is the stock of approved orders within the end production stage. The backlog and the distribution of lateness of the output in the end production stage process is the second control variable. It results from the difference between the planned and the actual output.
It is important to know, that some of the logistic objectives within core processes or across core processes are opposing. While fulfilling the tasks of PPC companies have to deal with these conflicts of objectives. Fields of tension arise. These are illustrated and discussed in the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model. Subsequently, one such conflict is described as an example. To be consistent, again the core process end production stage is focussed.
The utilization describes the ratio from actual performance to highest possible performance of a workstation or a production area. For an economic use, the utilization should be as high as possible. Thus, the WIP must be on an appropriate high level, so that the flow of material is not interrupted and the resources are used to capacity. But more aspects must be considered when defining the WIP in production. Firstly, with a high WIP capital costs and handling costs rise. Secondly, a high WIP causes long waiting times at workstations and thus longer throughput times for the production orders. Because of the increasing throughput times and the accompanying increasing scatter of throughput time, the lateness distribution and the schedule reliability are affected negatively.
As the example shows, there are conflicts between the logistic objectives. Producing companies must position themselves within the fields of tension arising. For this, the different objectives have to be evaluated and each company has to prioritize the objectives according to their corporate goals. Moreover, the entire PPC processes and parameters have to be oriented towards the chosen objectives. Thus, a profound understanding of the interactions between the PPC tasks and logistic objectives is required to perform a conscious positioning.
For the success of a company it is fundamental to understand how the decisions in production planning and control affect the actuating variables and control variables and via these the logistic objectives of the supply chain. That is why the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model contains further levels to detail the processes and interactions in the PPC main tasks.
By performing the PPC main task “plan production” specific production orders are created based on the in house production program resulting from the prior PPC main task “plan production requirements”. At first, a lot size calculation is performed and the economically optimal production volume is determined. Next, the start and end dates of individual operations within the production orders are defined. The throughput of production orders is scheduled. Then, the availability of the required resources is examined and a detailed resource allocation plan is worked out. Together, the created production orders with due dates and amounts lead to the production plan. Now the feasibility of the production plan has to be checked. If the production plan cannot be implemented, the resulting information from prior PPC main tasks (e.g. the in house production program from PPC main task “plan production requirements”) have to be questioned. As soon as the production plan is regarded as feasible, it may
be approved. Main result of the PPC main task “plan production” is the released production plan, containing short-term and medium-term production orders. In the process sequence of PPC the production plan is passed on to the PPC main tasks “control production” and “mange inventory” for implementation. Considering the systems of logistic objectives presented in section 3 the production plan determines the planned input and the planed output of the preliminary production stage and the end production stage.
The Hanoverian Supply Chain Model is developed to serve as a framework for PPC and a company’s internal supply chain. It clarifies the interactions between the tasks of production planning and control, the actuating variables, the control variables and the logistic objectives in core processes. Existing conflicts between logistic objectives are discussed. Like that the decisions within the PPC tasks can be taken with clarity about the interactions and the consequences. Moreover, existing quantitative logistic models are included in the framework. These models can be used to calculate values for PPC parameters. Furthermore a positioning within the indicated fields of tension created by logistic objectives can be performed.
To exemplify the approach to use quantitative logistic models to support the fulfilment of the PPC tasks we will have a closer look at the calculation of lot sizes. This is a sub-task of the PPC main task “plan production” (see
Setup costs result from the changes of production facilities between producing two different lots. The setup costs incur for each adjustment. Therefore, the setup costs increase when reducing the lot size. Normally, the setup costs comprise of material and wage costs for cleaning the production facility, wage costs for adjusting the production facility and assembling special components, tool change costs, transport costs, machine costs during the setup time, start-up costs and administrative expenses for the creation of production orders [
In contrast, the higher the lot size, the higher will be the storage costs, because more products will be stored. There are interest costs for fixed capital. Moreover costs for the care of the stored products arise. In addition, risk cost, for example for the loss of value, may occur. And there are depreciation costs, insurance costs and maintenance costs for the buildings and the technology of the storages [
Besides the addressed setup costs and storage costs, the lot size has got a big impact on the logistic performance of a producing company. There is an effect on the throughput time, the distribution of the throughput time, the distribution of lateness of production orders, the safety stock level in the storage for finished goods to compensate poor logistic performance and the flexibility of production [
To calculate the lot size, different methods may be used. Most of them focus the costs. A distinction is made between static and dynamic methods. Static approaches determine one lot size value for each item. This lot size is implemented as a fixed value into the PPC system for a certain period of time. As the underlying parameters may change the value must be verified regularly. In contrast, dynamic approaches define a new lot size for each production order, depending on the current conditions.
The opposing effect of the setup costs and storage costs implies that a cost-optimal solution exists for calculating the lot size. Using the traditional approach by HARRIS the optimal lot size is determined based on these two elements (setup costs and storage costs) [
It becomes obvious, that the lot size is a parameter of PPC, evoking a company to make a decision. The determination of the parameter takes place in a
stress field of logistic objectives. By defining a value for the parameter lot size a positioning takes places. The presented logistic model developed by MÜNZBERG can be used to perform this positioning. The framework Hanoverian Supply Chain Model discloses which models should be used in a certain case. By locating the quantitative logistic models within the framework, the partial models are combined into a unified context.
More research could be conducted in future to extend the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model. There are several ideas.
The first idea addresses the topic of Industry 4.0. New technologies arise and are applied in production systems. Resulting from the increasing digitilaziation more and better data will be present in production systems. The technologies and the data can be used to enhance production planning and control. Research is needed to investigate, in which way production planning and control will change because of Industry 4.0.
Another idea addresses product return and circular material flow. There are new laws and standards concerning product return in Europe. Generally, material efficiency becomes more and more important for producing companies. To represent these trends a reverse supply chain could be added to the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model. There could be research about the consequences of a reverse supply chain for SCM and PPC.
A new framework for PPC and SCM―named the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model―is introduced. It was developed at the Institute of Production Systems and Logistics of Leibniz Universität Hannover in Germany. Firstly, the model provides a universally valid description of the tasks of production planning and control. In this way, profound knowledge about PPC is provided in a comprehensible way. The process descriptions can actually be used by companies to design or improve processes. Secondly, systems of logistic objectives are defined for five core processes (procurement, preliminary productions stage, interim storage, end production stage, dispatch) that represent a company’s internal supply chain. These systems include the relevant logistic variables for each core process. Moreover, the influence of the PPC tasks on the systems is pictured. The systems show the relevant relations at a glance. Thirdly, existing fields of tension between logistic objectives are fore grounded. These fields of tension have to be considered while fulfilling the PPC tasks. Quantitative logistic models can be used to compute values for PPC parameters and moreover to position a production within the indicated fields of tension. These partial models were located within the framework Hanoverian Supply Chain Model. Like this, companies can use the partial models to design specific elements of their production systems or to fulfill specific tasks of PPC according to strategic goals. The main achievement respectively main contribution to research of the Hanoverian Supply Chain Model is the integrated consideration of PPC and a supply chain. The interactions between the PPC tasks and the logistic objectives alongside a supply chain are pointed out. The model supports companies to design and conduct production planning and control in-line with strategic goals.
This paper presents results of the project "Integrative Logistics Model for Linking Planning and Control Tasks with Logistical Target and Control Variables of the Company's Internal Supply Chain" (SCHM-2624/4-1), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and currently being conducted at the Institute of Production Systems and Logistics.
Schmidt, M. and Schäfers, P. (2017) A New Framework for Production Planning and Control to Support the Positioning in Fields of Tension Created by Opposing Logistic Objectives. Modern Economy, 8, 910-920. https://doi.org/10.4236/me.2017.87064
The Hanoverian Supply Chain Model is published on an interactive website. The English version is provided at http://www.hasupmo.education/, whereas the German version is provided at http://www.halimo.education/. Beside the top level of the model the web site provides profiles with definitions and further information of the PPC tasks and the logistic objectives. Because the web site is freely accessible on the internet, it is an interesting tool for scientists, students and companies, who are active in the fields of PPC and SCM.
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