In the Module Overview, we stated that an "aggregate plan will include the quantity and timing of production for the intermediate future (typically 3-18 months ahead).” Some factors such as demand, pay rate, and the ability to use overtime or subcontract some of the production must be taken into consideration to keep the total cost of production as low as possible.

You have been asked to build the aggregate planning schedule for your factory for the next six months and to determine the best option.

This chart provides the variables and cost for each variable.

Variables	Cost
Inventory carrying cost	$7 per unit per month
Subcontracting cost	$25 per unit
Average pay rate	$12 per hour (8 hours per day)
Overtime pay rate	$18 per hour (above 8 hours per day)
Labor-hours needed to produce one unit	1.5 hours per unit
Units per day produced	50
Beginning inventory	0
Planned ending inventory	0
Lost sales per unit	$30

 

 This chart provides the demand for the product and the number of production days per month.

Months	Demand	Production Days
January	1300	22
February	800	18
March	600	21
April	1500	21
May	1300	22
June	1300	20

 

Step 1: Prepare Your Aggregate Plan

Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare your aggregate plan. Produce a graph of your plan. The intent is to use a level strategy (or level scheduling) with no overtime, no safety stock, and no subcontractors.

Hint 1 - Consider that it takes 1.5 hours to produce a unit when determining your cost per unit for average and overtime pay.

Hint 2 - To determine regular time production, you need to multiply the units per day produced by the number of production days.

Step 2: Update Your Aggregate Plan Using Overtime

In the plan produced in Step 1, the production rate did not meet the total demand. If you were able to use overtime to meet the shortfall, what would your aggregate plan look like?

Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare an updated aggregate plan.

Step 3: Update Your Aggregate Plan Using Outsourcing

Instead of paying overtime, you might be able to outsource the shortfall in production. Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare an updated aggregate plan using outsources instead of paying overtime.

Step 4: Summarize and Submit

On a fourth tab of the spreadsheet, summarize your cost and determine which of the three options produces the lowest overall cost. Be sure to provide a detailed analysis along with your summary data.