Behaviour of MRP, Kanban, CONWIP and DBR under dynamic environmental variability

Abstract

The choice of a Production Planning and Control (PPC) method can be classified as strategic and the required continuous parameterisation issues as tactical. This continuous parameterisation after implementation of a PPC system is often ignored because it requires planning expertise and is time consuming. The effect of not fulfilling these tactical issues, which results in not adapting the PPC parameters to changed environmental influences, is evaluated in this study. Therefore the behaviour of Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Kanban, Constant Work in Process (CONWIP) and Drum Buffer Rope (DBR) under dynamic environments is evaluated in a simulation model, where a high service level at a low WIP is defined as desirable. The environment is described by means of variability of Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), setup time, machine availability, scrap rate and demand.This paper can support industrial practitioners both in their choice of a specific PPC strategy and decide if continuous adaptation of PPC parameters is necessary in their production system as well as what critical changes in the environment have to be considered.