Production planning and control involves determining the quantity and timing of future production to meet forecasted demand. Production managers try to determine the best way to do this by adjusting production rates, manpower levels, inventory levels, and using overtime work or subcontracting. Good decision making in operations management involves defining the problem, establishing decision criteria and goals, formulating a model relating goals to variables, identifying and evaluating alternatives, and selecting and implementing the best alternative based on logic, data, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. Planning occurs over short, medium, and long terms with short and medium term planning focused on monthly, quarterly, and aggregate production plans and long term planning focused on strategic facility and capacity decisions.

3. Problem ? Quantitative Analysis Logic Historical Data Market research Scientific analysis Modeling Qualitative Analysis Emotions Intuition Personal experiences Rumors Decision