"Hot" jobs, bane or boon

Abstract

The manufacturing community reacts to crises, directives from upper management and late orders by issuing "hot orders". This method of operating increases the priority for a particular product and expedites its flow through the factory. However, the impact of the schedule disruption on the remainder of the products' scheduled is unknown. A simulation of a medium sized electronics factory provides an opportunity to analyze the impact of this procedure on the jobs being processed. The effect of increasing the percentage of "hot" jobs on the remainder of the jobs being produced is examined. The results indicate that as the percentage of "hot" jobs increases, the time to process normal orders also increases. The establishment of an upper limit on "hot" orders will permit a factory to operate effectively and minimize disruptions.<>