WORK CENTER SCHEDULING
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Objectives of Work-Center Scheduling
1. Meet due dates
2. Minimize lead time
3. Minimize setup time or cost
4. Minimize work-in-process inventory
5. Maximize machine utilization
• It is unlikely, and often undesirable, to simultaneously
satisfy all of these objectives
Job Sequencing
• Sequencing: the process of determining the job order on
machines or work centers
• Also known as priority sequencing
• Priority rules: the rules used in obtaining a job sequence
• Can be simple or complex
• Can use one or more pieces of information
• Common rules shown on next slide
Priority Rules for Job Sequencing
• FCFS (First come, First served): Jobs are processed in
the order they arrive at the department.
• SOT (Shortest Operating Time): Jobs are processed in
increasing order of their processing time.
• EDD (Earliest Due Date First): Process the jobs with
earliest due date first.
• STR (Slack Time Remaining): Process the jobs in
increasing order slack time, where
slack time = due date – processing time.
• Random Order: Process the orders on whim or
convenience.
Standard Measures of Schedule Performance
1. Meeting due dates
2. Minimizing the flow time
3. Minimizing work-in-process inventory
4. Minimizing idle time
Example 1: n Jobs on One Machine
Example 1: FCFS Rule
Example 1: SOT Rule
Example 1: EDD
Example 1: LCFS Schedule
Example 1: Random Schedule
Example 1: STR Rule STR = Due date -
Processing time
Comparison of Priority Rules
Scheduling n Jobs on Two Machines
• Two or more jobs must be processed on two machines in
a common sequence
• Wish to minimize the flow time from the beginning of the
first job to the finish of the last job
• Use Johnson’s rule
1. List the operation time for each job
2. Select the shortest operation time
3. If the shortest time is on the first machine, do first
• If the shortest time is on the second machine, do the job last
• For ties, do first
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for each remaining job
Example 22.2: n Jobs on Two Machines
Calculate total elapsed time and idle time for each
machine
A B C D E F
M1 2 5 4 3 2 1
M2 6 8 1 2 3 5
Total elapsed time -26
22-16