Production Scheduler

Overview

The Production Scheduler skill provides comprehensive capabilities for optimizing production schedules. It supports finite capacity scheduling, changeover optimization, due date prioritization, and real-time rescheduling to maximize throughput and on-time delivery.

Capabilities

• Finite capacity scheduling
• Changeover sequence optimization
• Due date prioritization
• Machine assignment optimization
• Setup time reduction
• Order splitting strategies
• Schedule compression techniques
• Real-time rescheduling

Used By Processes

• CAP-002: Production Scheduling Optimization
• TOC-002: Drum-Buffer-Rope Scheduling
• LEAN-004: Kanban System Design

Tools and Libraries

• Scheduling algorithms
• Optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, OR-Tools)
• ERP scheduling modules
• APS systems

Usage

skill: production-scheduler
inputs:
  orders:
    - order_id: "ORD001"
      product: "Widget A"
      quantity: 500
      due_date: "2026-02-10"
      priority: "high"
    - order_id: "ORD002"
      product: "Widget B"
      quantity: 300
      due_date: "2026-02-12"
      priority: "normal"
  resources:
    - machine: "Press 1"
      available_hours: 16
      products: ["Widget A", "Widget B", "Widget C"]
    - machine: "Press 2"
      available_hours: 16
      products: ["Widget A", "Widget C"]
  changeover_matrix:
    "Widget A -> Widget B": 30  # minutes
    "Widget A -> Widget C": 45
    "Widget B -> Widget A": 25
  scheduling_rules:
    - "minimize_lateness"
    - "minimize_changeovers"
outputs:
  - production_schedule
  - machine_assignments
  - changeover_sequence
  - on_time_performance
  - utilization_metrics

Scheduling Objectives

Objective	Description	Metric
On-time delivery	Meet customer due dates	% on-time
Throughput	Maximize output	Units/day
Utilization	Efficient resource use	% utilized
Changeover	Minimize setup time	Total setup hours
WIP	Minimize work in process	$ WIP value

Scheduling Rules

Priority Rules

• EDD (Earliest Due Date) - Schedule by due date
• SPT (Shortest Processing Time) - Shortest jobs first
• FCFS (First Come First Served) - Order received
• CR (Critical Ratio) - Time remaining / work remaining

Sequencing Rules

• Grouping - Similar products together
• Optimal changeover - Minimize total setup time
• Color wheel - Light to dark, small to large

Schedule Optimization

Minimize: Total Lateness + (Changeover Time x Weight)

Subject to:
- Capacity constraints
- Due date requirements
- Material availability
- Resource skills

Real-Time Rescheduling Triggers

1. Machine breakdown
2. Rush order arrival
3. Material shortage
4. Quality issue
5. Labor absence

Integration Points

• ERP/MRP systems
• Manufacturing Execution Systems
• Order management systems
• Shop floor data collection