Sa. Melnyk et al., EVALUATING VARIANCE CONTROL, ORDER REVIEW RELEASE AND DISPATCHING - AREGRESSION-ANALYSIS, International Journal of Production Research, 32(5), 1994, pp. 1045-1061
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Engineering,"Operatione Research & Management Science
The challenge of improving performance in the job shop can be met in a
number of ways. We can rely on variance control to reduce variances c
reated either in the planning system (through uneven or fluctuating lo
ads) or on the shop floor (through varying processing times for releas
ed batches). We can rely on Order Review/Release(ORR). Finally, we can
turn to one of the various dispatching rules that are available. Each
option has been previously examined. However, this study examines all
of these options simultaneously within the context of a simulated sim
ple job shop. Based on a regression analysis of the data generated, se
veral interesting results are uncovered. First, the results show that
the presence of variance control at both the planning and shop floor l
evels can greatly enhance the effectivess of ORR. This result partiall
y helps resolve the controversy surrounding ORR. Second, the results s
how that Shortest Processing Time (SPT), while extremely effective in
an uncontrolled environment, reacts adversely to the presence of varia
nce control. Finally, if used effectively, variance control can greatl
y reduce the need for complex dispatching rule.