AN EVALUATION OF PRODUCTION SCHEDULING AND CONTROL IN A MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

CHAPTER ONE

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

For any industry operate successfully there is need for it to be knowledgeable in the field of production, what it intends to achieve models, process, areas of application in production.

This project looks into two different aspects of production i.e production scheduling and control. Production scheduling and control as a part of the function of management deals with the scheduling and controlling of physical resource to be used by an enterprises to produce goods and services. By (Aleje A. B. Strategic Planning and control 1996) it is a design process through which input or raw materials are converted or transformed into output of useful product or service. Before production could be achieved, there must be a plan to that effect, this plan involves before production of goods or services to satisfy human wants is the major hold that keep every organization going smoothly.

The organization also divided the choice of materials from which to start production with, the choice of facilities required the choice of route or services of work/task to be applied the choice of handling and storage system to be used for moving materials within the premises.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Most organization production activity are slow and the time give to complete a given tasks always exceed the expected given time. The researcher wants to investigate and know the reasons behind lower productivity among employees. The problems of production scheduling and control are discussed in this work and solutions suggested. At times the use of quantitative techniques in assigning jobs in an organization is not done well, the researcher want to see the reasons behind this. The inventory levels of organization are not properly maintained they   get short of materials due to lack of good control of stock. Lastly, the researcher want to know the problems associated with activity of scheduling in relation to noodles production and solution suggested.

1.3     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

For the successful accomplishment of any work, there must be a reason or purpose of setting such task. The objectives of the study are as follows.

-                     To find out how production scheduling and inventory control is actually carried out in the organization.

-                     To numerate the degree of consumption of goods and service produce in the organization by the consumers.

-                     To find out whether Indomise Company is using quantitative techniques in planning production process.

-                     It will show us the importance of scheduling and control activities in the process of producing or manufacturing a product.

-                     To find out the problems facing in production scheduling and control and also suggest on how to alleviate the problem.

1.4     STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

In the course of the research work, the following hypothesis shall be tested.

HO:    Inventory control done not affect the production performance in an organization.

Hi:     Inventory control affects the production performance in an organization.

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of the study of the project work cannot be over emphasized, it will help managers and organization to know which of the methods to apply at any given situation or circumstance they find themselves. It will also help organization to maximize profit through effective use of plant and machines and by taking corrective measure. The organization will see its own lapses and improve on them so as to meet its own objectives other organization in the same line can effect correction on their various productive systems.

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This project work covers certain areas of the said organization. The major areas covered are the noodling line where the actual production scheduling and control activities mostly take place, it covers other departments in relation to production because they are all interrelate. It also looks at the use of mathematical techniques applied in the production of noodles. It also looks at the problem of scheduling activity to machine and the scope and concept of control in production management and its importance.

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

In the course of writing this work, some limitations were encountered. For instance, due to high cost of transportation it has not been easy in conducting this research. Also time constraints or limited time is another factor.  Another problem is that some of the employees shows nonchalant attitude toward this work. Despite these problems faced the researcher was chanced to gather effective materials necessary for the successful completion of the project.

1.8     HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE CASE STUDY

The historical background of Indomie Company Kaduna. Northern Noodles Limited is the third and the most recent state of the automation noodle manufacturing factory commissioned in Kaduna in 2011. Northern Noodles Limited entered in the pages of history of her group not only for being the quickest in completion of a project but also for being the first ever fully automated plant from start to finish i.e. flour handling silo system to auto carton casing.

The company doubled its production capacity within a span of six month and processes to further add to it by the end of year 2013. The objective of the company is to provide fresh and quality product to the consumers of northern and central part of Nigeria.

1.9     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Before going into the major part of the project we should understand some basic terminologies in this piece of work.

Production: This can be defined as the creation of good and services for human consumption or uses.

Scheduling: Means assigning of a particular task to someone, in other words, it means planning.

Control: Can be seen as the act of process of ensuring activities conforms with planned in an organization.

Product: Mean manufactured goods on the other hand, product can be seen as something that is tangible as being capable of satisfying a need (i.e. any tangible things that provide satisfaction).

Monitoring: Is a process of continuous inspection to ensure that task carried out are in accordance with specification.

Cost Are monetary value of good purchased.

Material: These are components, parts of raw material that is kept in store.

Specification: Can be seen as a statement providing a description list of characteristics laid down for materials components processes or service.

Quality: Is defined as anything that conforms to one predetermined standard or specification.

Planning: Means forecasting the future i.e looking ahead.