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Planning and implementing a manufacturing control system in a job shop environment

This thesis is intended to provide the management of small to medium sized job shop
companies with a written plan to implement a formal computerized manufacturing
planning and control system. The research stemmed from a case study performed at a
typical job shop where growth of production activities was complicating the informal
control system being used. A review of the literature and a survey of job shops provided
the necessary foundation for this implementation. Research indicated that typical material
requirements planning (MRP) systems do not provide the type of shop floor control that
most job shops require. This thesis suggests alternatives that not only provide the type of
shop floor control required by a typical job shop, but software that can be managed
effectively by current employees with minimal changes to the education and training of
these employees.
The plan contains ten steps that are designed to be used by a job shop wishing to
implement a formal computerized control system. A decision making heuristic is used in
the first step that provides a method for estimating the benefits that might result from
implementation. Sample criteria for evaluating current shop floor control software,
development of an implementation timeline, cost considerations, educational
requirements for employees, and suggested methods for measuring project performance
are also included. Examples of the type of improvement that can be expected for each of
the business activities is also discussed.
The overall goal is to provide a comprehensive plan that will guide managers through
the steps necessary to implement a computerized shop floor control system and to inform
managers of the benefits which can accrue from such a system. / Graduation date: 1999

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/33691
Date08 January 1999
CreatorsMaplestone, Robert N.
ContributorsBeaumariage, Terrence
Source SetsOregon State University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis/Dissertation

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