The schedule of manufactured items usually created to fill 'outside' demand from forecasts, customer orders and interplant orders that specifies the exact item numbers, dates and quantities for production but is not in itself a production order to be released to the floor. It considers the high-level production plan and rough cut capacity availability, and aligns with management targets for linearity and permissible level of changes. Once accepted, the MPS specifies the date and quantity requirements used by MRP to explode demand through the bill of materials. While most often for end items, variations of MPS allow planning critical lower levels such as major subassemblies based on a forecast that is then consumed by customer orders for finished goods that require those subassemblies. The MPS is the main driver for the rest of the planning and scheduling system, and the level of success in attaining a realistic MPS often indicates how well the other detailed parts of the system function.
A time-phased statement (usually computerised) of how many items are to be produced in a given period (like a giant timetable), based on customer orders and demand forecasts.
An expression of the operational plan of production by period, indicating the timing and size of end item quantities (used in MRP).
An interim production schedule that is used in some systems to drive MRP for finished goods. The MPS typically considers sales forecasts, material availability, work center load, labor resources, and other constraints in order to effectively predict demand and manage resources. The MPS can be managed at the item level or by product line.
Abbreviation: MPS A realistic, detailed, manufacturing plan for which all possible demands upon the manufacturing facilities (such as available personnel, working hours, (management) policy and goals) have been considered and are visualized. The MPS is a statement of what the company expects to produce and purchase expressed in selected items, specific quantities and dates.
Production schedule specifying specific items, quantities, and dates at which production is expected to take place. The primary purpose of an MPS is to manage capacity when you have some time periods where demand is expected to exceed capacity. You will then use MPS to produce some products in advance of demand (forecasted or actual orders) during periods when capacity exceeds demand.
The master production schedule is a line on the master schedule grid that reflects the anticipated build schedule for those items assigned to the master scheduler. The master scheduler maintains this schedule, and in turn, it becomes a set of planning numbers that drives material requirements planning. It represents what the company plans to produce expressed in specific configurations, quantities, and dates. The master production schedule is not a sales item forecast that represents a statement of demand. The master production schedule must take into account the forecast, the production plan, and other important considerations such as backlog, availability of material, availability of capacity, and management policies and goals. See: master schedule.