Overview

This is part 3 of 3 parts on Capacity Planning.

Capacity Planning is both an art and a science. If you want your company to truly serve its clients and to be successful now and in the future, you need to have an up to date capacity plan. Then you truly know what your capabilities are and when you will need to add to them as demand starts to meet or exceed what you can do.
This is the third of three sessions on Capacity Planning:

In session 1, we covered what Capacity Planning is and why it is important. In session 2 we went though an actual Capacity Planning example a discussed a Capacity Cushion. In this session we cover: Best Planning Practices, 
Different types of Planning, the steps in doing a Capacity Plan, again why it is important to do a Capacity Plan and keep it up to date.

In covering best practices, we will discuss:

  
Understanding overall demand – That means that you must combine various demands to realize what is really needed in regard to manufacturing capabilities.

Analysis of current capacity. – This is the establishment of the foundational baseline for determining future capacity needs.

Considering capacity options – Is it better to have internal, external or a combined capacity capability?

Avoiding distractions – Make sure information and planning focus are not distracted by unimportant things or pip dreams.

Expect changes – Businesses are dynamic. Changes will occur that must be accounted for.

Ongoing process – What is true today will not be so tomorrow. Keep the plan current.

We will then cover the following aspects of Capacity Planning:

How Capacity Planning relates to MRP

Key take aways regarding Capacity Planning (What we covered in sessions 1, 2 and today). 
 
Other Capacity Planning related topics for review
Theory of Constraints (TOC)
Large Batch vs. Single Flow
Production Leveling (Heijunka)
Just In Time (JIT)

Why you should Attend

Capacity Planning is both an art and a science. If you want your company to truly serve its clients and to be successful now and, in the future, you need to have an up to date capacity plan. Then you truly know what your capabilities are and when you will need to add to them as demand starts to meet or exceed what you can do.

The plan should cover all of the information necessary in order to make it worthwhile. That means that you also need to know what the company’s sales plans will be now and for the future. That covers at least 3 years and up to 5 years. Nothing beyond that is not needed.

The plan should be reviewed every 6 months unless there are some major changes to the company’s needs or your ability to produce. In that case the plan (At least the part affected) needs to be reviewed and updated immediately. 
A good, smart organization will take this seriously and act on whatever the plan directs them to do.

Areas Covered in the Session

• Best Practices
• Types of Capacity Planning
• Planning steps
• Benefits of Capacity Planning
  

Who Will Benefit

• VP Operations
• Capacity Planning managers and employees
• Director of Operations