Finite capacity scheduling systems: Performance issues and comparisons

This study examines the flowtime, schedule stability and delivery performance results for finite capacity scheduling (FCS) systems. Two common schedule construction approaches, blocked-time and event-driven, are compared. A production shop simulation model facilitates the testing of these two approaches using either internally or externally specified due dates. Also, various due-date dependent loading rules are used in schedule construction. The results show that using the event-driven schedule construction approach along with internally specified due dates works best. Flowtime, flowtime variability and mean tardiness are lower when comparing the event-driven approach to the blocked-time approach as well as when comparing internally to externally set due dates. Schedule stability results are less consistent, with performance being largely a function of the loading rule when the blocked-time approach is used.