A system dynamics approach for input-output control of a job-shop system in make-to-order environment

This paper presents a Decision Support System (DSS) for Production Planning and Control (PPC) of a Job Shop System, operating in a Make To Order environment. Various Order Review and Release (ORR) techniques have been considered in order to tackle the problems typical of this context: high level of Work in Process, significant and not controllable throughput times and difficulties in meeting due dates. A System Dynamics (SD) approach allows to analyze the impact of the control mechanisms implemented on several system performance indicators (e.g. shop oriented and job oriented measures)