Production Planning may be said to be a technique of

forecasting ahead every step in the long process of

production, taking them at right time and in the right
degree and trying to complete operations at the
maximum efficiency
Production control is the process that keeps a watchful eye
on the production flow and size of resources along with
the location, of any deviation from the present action and
to arrange for the prompt adjustment so that the
production may run according to the original or revised
schedule

In the words of Henry Fayol –

“Production control refers to ensuring that all which occurs
is in accordance with the rules established and instructions
issued.”
 Inputs like materials, men and machines are efficiently
used
 Factors of production are integrated to use them
economically
 Division of work is undertaken carefully so that every
available element is properly utilised
 Work is regulated from the first stage of procuring raw
materials to the stage of finished goods
 Questions like what, when and how to be manufactured
are decided
 Determining sequence of operations for continuous
production
 Planning plant capacity for future production
programmes
 Issuing co-ordinated work schedules to concerned
persons
 Maintaining sufficient inventories to support
continuous flow of production
 Evaluating performance of workshops
 Maintaining production schedules to ensure
delivery at proper time
 Preparation of production budget
 Devising manufacturing methods and sequence of
operations
 Deciding type of machines and equipments
 Preparation of operation sheets and instruction cards
 Estimating men, machine and material requirements
 Undertaking time and motion studies
 Preparing master schedules
 Production planning and control is important for the
following reasons -
 For Increasing Production – Main purpose of
production planning is to arrange inputs.
Production control programme minimises idleness of
men and machines. It thus helps in raising industrial
output.
 For co-ordinating plant activity -In planning production
is carried out in a number of processes and thus
activities are synchronized for smooth working.
 Planning
 Routing
Scheduling
Despatching
Follow-up and
Expediting
 Inspection
It is the first element of production planning and control.
Planning is deciding in advance what is to be done in
future. An organisational set up is created to prepare
plans and policies. Various charts, manuals and
production budgets are also prepared. Planning provides
a sound base for control. A separate department is set up
for this work.
Routing is determining the exact path which will be followed in
production. It is the selection of the path
from where each unit have to pass before reaching the final
stage. The stages from which goods are to pass
are decided in this process.

In the words of ALFORD and BEATY –

“Routing is the specification of the flow sequence of operations
and processes to be followed in producing a particular
manufacturing lot.”
Scheduling is the determining of time and date when each
operation is to be commenced or completed. The
time and date of manufacturing each component is fixed in
such a way that assembling for final product is
not delayed in any way.

In the words of KIMBALL and KIMBALL –

“The determination of the time that should be required to
perform each operation and also the time necessary to perform
the entire series, as routed, making allowances for all factors
concerned.”
Despatching refers to the process of actually ordering the
work to be done. It involves putting the plan into effect by
issuing orders. It is concerned with starting the process
and operation on the basis of route sheets and schedule
charts.

In the words of JOHN A. SHUBIN –

“Despatches put production in effect by releasing and
guiding manufacturing order in the sequence previously
determined by route sheets and schedules.”
“Follow up or expediting is that branch of production control
procedure which regulates the progress of materials and part
through the production process.”

Follow up Procedure –

Progress may be assessed with the help of routine reports or

communication with operating departments. The follow up
procedure is used for expediting and checking the progress.
Inspection is the process of ensuring whether the products
manufactured are of requisite quality or not.
Inspection is undertaken both of products and inputs. It is
carried on at various levels of production process so that
pre-determined standards of quality are achieved.
Inspection ensures the maintenance of pre- determined
quality of products.