Techniques for Planning and Control Dependent on Different Types of Flexibility

The implementation of a particular technique for planning and control of capacities, materials, and other resources for production is strongly dependent on what type of flexibility, in a strategic, tactical, or operations view, is the center of attention. For decision making, two-dimensional visualizations, with the horizontal axis and the vertical axis each representing a certain type of flexibility, have proved practical. This decision aid proves advantageous especially when the decision is made jointly and the reasons for the decision need to be communicated to other persons – in the job shop, for example. The paper presents examples of concepts and techniques for capacity and materials planning, and further areas where the decision aids can be used.