This unit is appropriate for production personnel with some responsibility for planning. Production schedules may relate to daily, weekly and/or monthly production.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify production requirements

1.1. Forecast and sales information is used to identify production requirements

1.2. Production priorities are identified to satisfy demand

2. Identify resource requirements to meet production requirements

2.1. Stock levels of raw materials/ingredients, packaging components and consumables are confirmed against production requirements

2.2. Equipment capacity and status and human resources are confirmed against production requirements

3. Develop and communicate the production schedule

3.1. The production schedule is developed to meet demand and delivery timelines within production capacity and budget

3.2. The production schedule takes account of stock levels, storage capacity, equipment capacity and product mix to minimise stock and product holdings and maximise production efficiency

3.3. The production schedule is recorded in the appropriate workplace format

3.4. The production schedule is made available to relevant personnel in a timely manner

4. Monitor actual against scheduled production

4.1. Production is monitored to identify actual and potential barriers to achieving the schedule

4.2. Resource usage rates are monitored to identify potential shortages

4.3. Unplanned events that could affect the schedule are identified, assessed and addressed

5. Adjust production schedules

5.1. Production schedules are adjusted to take account of changed conditions

5.2. Changes to the production schedule are negotiated and communicated to relevant personnel in a timely manner

5.3. Resource implications of amended schedules are identified and resources are accessed to meet requirements

5.4. Potential failure to meet delivery deadlines are identified and communicated to relevant personnel in a timely manner

5.5. Schedule documentation is amended as required to meet workplace reporting requirements

6. Review production schedule development process

6.1. The production scheduling process is reviewed to identify opportunities for improvement

6.2. Variances in production against schedule are identified, investigated and reported

6.3. Personnel responsible for implementing the schedule are consulted to identify improvement opportunities

6.4. The scheduling process is revised to reflect improvements

Required skills

Ability to:

collect and interpret sales and/or market forecast information, such as liaising with sales departments/functions and/or direct contact with customers

identify production priorities to meet customer/market expectations

identify and confirm resource requirements to meet the schedule, such as stock levels, equipment availability and capacity, personnel, storage capacity, and transport, and where required, identify alternate sources of supply for resources in short supply

develop a schedule to match production priorities to available resources, such as consulting relevant personnel to confirm schedule feasibility, and notifying relevant personnel of any possibility that demand cannot be met within required timeframe

record and communicate the schedule in appropriate formats, such as use of software and communicating information to meet workplace and audience requirements

monitor actual production and materials usage levels against production plan to identify variances and take appropriate corrective action, including assessing the consequences of any adjustments to the schedule for the customer, the company and resource availability

adjust the schedule in response to typical and atypical variables affecting achievement of schedule

respond to unplanned events to minimise disruption and optimise efficiency

confirm that resources and personnel are available to meet amended schedule and, if not, take action to secure requirements

communicate schedule changes to affected personnel

track and investigate variance to identify cause

follow review procedures to identify opportunities to improve scheduling process

follow procedures to adopt and communicate improvements to the scheduling process

use planning and systems control software according to enterprise procedures

match work allocation to competencies available in the work team according to enterprise procedures

use communication skills to interpret and complete work information to support operations of work team or area

use communication skills to consult and communicate with relevant personnel

demonstrate and support cooperative work practices within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

the role and scope of the scheduling function, including flow of information to and from the scheduling process and the impact of scheduling for related planning, purchasing, production and despatch processes

factors to be taken into account in planning the schedule, including the inter-relationships between factors, such as:

customer requirements

stock levels and supply options

use-by codes

production capacity and availability

labour requirements and availability

product compatibility

capacity of related processes and/or storage facilities

transport capacity

consequences of failing to meet delivery timelines(this may differ according to customers and may include stock-out fines in addition to damage to customer relationships)

the company's preferred approach to managing customer relations

the characteristics of raw materials/ingredients, packaging components and consumables and production process to determine the most efficient plan to meet production requirements, including stock shelf-life, product compatibility (with the exception of dedicated product lines) and changeover procedures

equipment capacity to ensure that production quantities and timelines are achievable

methods used to monitor actual to planned production, such as use of systems software and key performance indicators (KPIs) where these are collected on a real time basis

relevant personnel and departments to be consulted/notified of production schedule and related amendments, including the information relevant to each group/person

awareness of conditions that can affect achievement of schedule, including conditions that are unusual or unplanned and related options for response

options for maximising resource utilisation and minimising waste, including options for alternate resource allocation in response to unplanned events

recording systems and requirements

process improvement procedures

supplier capacity and timeframes where relevant

competencies required by the work process and competencies held by the work team where relevant

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

confirm production requirements and resource implications

establish and document production schedule

coordinate implementation of schedule

ensure production schedule is communicated and reported to all appropriate personnel

manage unplanned production issues

assess production outcomes against schedule and make required adjustments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

scheduling system and associated information and communication systems

production area and related functions and resources

relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs)

workplace information recording systems, requirements and procedures.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role. Examples could be:

FDFPPL4006A Manage a work area within budget

BSBRES401A Analyse and present research information.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Production scheduling is consistent with company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements, and industrial awards and agreements and takes account of occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental impact of scheduling arrangements

Scheduling

Scheduling may involve:

the use of planning and systems control software, such as SAP and MRPII

Schedules

Schedules may be based on:

customer orders and/or market forecasts

Unit sector

People management/planning/logistics

This unit contains employability skills.