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Abstract
A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet model for scheduling and tracking multi-machine manufacturing operations with up to twelve different labor steps and six separate production runs per job was developed and implemented. The model provides the ability to compare work in process (WIP) inventory levels at each labor step against target levels to help meet customer delivery dates. Users can schedule, track and monitor production run status using on-screen graphical tools and printout reports. We evaluated the spreadsheet engineering methodology implemented to create a multi-machine production scheduling tool. Benefits and disadvantages that spreadsheet applications can provide over commercial software packages are presented.
Keywords
Spreadsheet, Scheduling, Production
1. Introduction
Spreadsheet programming using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) provides the ability for programmers and non-programmers to design, build, test and maintain decision-making software tools for production and inventory control systems. The choice of the spreadsheet engineering methodology for application development has been a topic of increased interest. Grossman and Özlük [1] present a paradigm for organizing and interpreting spreadsheet engineering methodologies for evaluation and comparison. The focus of this research is to map the methodology used for production scheduling at Evans Findings Company to help contribute to the future employment of spreadsheets in industry.
Significant research exists on software-based production planning and inventory control tools such as material requirements planning (MRP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) programs. The evidence that MRP/ERP programs often fail to live up to their promised capability is well-documented in academic literature. Loinsky [2] found that a major problem with MRP/ERP systems is that they commonly conflict with the company's business strategy. The lack of customization available in ERP programs has caused many companies to force fit their processes to the software at the expense of other proven practices [3]. Furthermore, MRP systems can be economically inefficient or overly generic, and the minimum input data is often in excess of what is readily available. Hsiang [4] states that MRP/ERP systems are fairly simplistic with serious inherent weaknesses such as fixed planning and stocking parameters. He makes a case for customized add-ins or standalone programs such as spreadsheet applications to address specific problems.
The development of customizable spreadsheet applications is common for business-related modeling solutions and has proven to be useful in modeling some...