Nick Talbot had a problem. As the master planner for Hardy Custom Engraving, he was responsible for ensuring that they meet the sometimes$-$conflicting priorities of sales, production, and finance. Something has gone wrong, and all of Nick's plans have failed. Despite his best efforts to level production and still meet promised delivery dates, two customers will not be getting their shipments this week. Jim "Buster" Hush had just pointed out the obvious by declaring in front of everyone in the meeting, "You should have seen it coming!!", but Nick Talbot$($master planner$)$couldn$\text{'}$t see how.

Nick Talbot$($master planner$)$stared at the latest output from the MRP system on his desk for K$-1010,$ the product that was ruining his career. How could things have gone so wrong in two weeks? When Leona Hardy had taken over the company from her father, she came up with some new ideas, many of which were already paying big dividends, and the company was starting to grow. One of these ideas was the introduction of wood products to the existing line of metal$-$fabricated items. There is no arguing that the line is proving popular with customers $($and the sales force$)$ resulting in higher revenues and profits. Demand for K$-1010$ is a perfect example of this. Who would have thought that there was such a big market for laser$-$engraved hardwood key chains? Well, the report told the tale.