Information architecture for effective Workload Control: an insight from a successful implementation

Abstract

The implementation of Workload Control (WLC), a Production Planning and Control concept uniquely designed for Make-To-Order companies, has been a constant challenge. Scholars argued that WLC is largely developed through simulations of well-defined environments while much more complex circumstances (e.g., information availability) have emerged in field research. A recent trend of WLC research is to improve the practical applicability of the concept, where empirical evidence is essential. However, success in WLC implementation remains impeded. The availability of data has been a significant area that frustrates the implementation process. While there is a tendency to simplify data requirements in recent WLC theory development, it is important to understand and maintain the information that is essential for the concept to be effective. For the first time in the field, this paper details the information architecture for WLC. Key informational entities of relevance to the input/output control functions in WLC as well as performance measurement are discussed based on evidence from a successful implementation. The paper not only sheds light for practitioners on how to construct an information system that facilitates successful WLC implementation but also has implications for future development of WLC mechanisms coping with information uncertainties in practice.

Analysing the impact of uncertainty reduction on WLC methods in MTO flow shops

“…They build datasets where expected processing times are used and apply WLC methods using such estimated data. Those data are more or less different from the actual data, depending on the degree of uncertainty, which appears to be one of the main causes leading to WLC failures (Huang, 2017).…”

Designing and developing smart production planning and control systems in the industry 4.0 era: a methodology and case study

“…First, in the puristic production and operations management perspective, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are viewed as add-ons or auxiliary that can enable or improve information flow but are usually considered exogenous (Slack et al, 2013). A contrasting view is that of information systems-centered research within the context of manufacturing, that considers ICTs as an integral variable and focuses on opportunities for performance improvements by employing ICTs -for example, Huang (2017). In the methodology proposed in this paper, an attempt is made at using a more balanced, multi-disciplinary view.…”

Workload Control and Order Dispatching Rules

“…Although simulation studies demonstrate the ability of the WLC to improve performance, reports of successful practical implementation are still limited (Liu et al, 2018). Part of the reason for this is that the theory behind the WLC relies on simulation tests using models of simple systems, which barely correspond to reality (Huang, 2017). The literature recognises the need for more empirical research on practical implementations of the WLC concept (Sagawa and Land, 2018) since they still represent a small part of the articles published in the area (Silva et al, 2015).…”