Production and Control: its Meaning and Objectives

Meaning:
Production planning cannot be properly ac system of production control.
Production control is primarily concerned with orderly flow of materials in the
manufacturing process from the beginning (raw state) to the end (the finished
products). The following definitions clearly explain the meaning of production
control.
Production control is the process of planning production in advance of
operations, establishing the exact route of each individual item, part or
assembly, setting, starting and finishing dates for each important item,
assembly of finished products and releasing the necessary orders as well as
initiating the required follow up to effectuate the smooth functioning of an
enterprise
Spriegel and Lansburgh.
Production control refers to ensuring that all which occurs in accordance with
the rules established and instructions issued
Henry Fayol
Production control is concerned with the observation of current happenings,
their recording and continuous comparison with the planned production
programme. Deviations from the established routine are reported promptly to
the person with requisite authority and responsibility for remedial corrective
action.
Al ford and Beatty
Basically, the production control function involves the co-ordination and
integration of the factors of production for optimum efficiency. Overall sales

orders or plans must be translated into specific schedules and assigned so as

to occupy all work centers but overload none.
The job can be done formally in which case elaborate charting and filing
techniques are used, or it can be done informally, with individuals thoughts
and retention thereof supplanting tangible aids.
James C. Lundy
Production control is a system whereby there is achieved a smooth and
coordinated flow of work within the factory so that, by planning and control of
all the productive operations in ail the stages of manufacture, the final product
is completed in accordance with the plans.
F.J. Wright
From the above mentioned definitions it is clear that production control is
primarily concerned with successful implementation of production planning.
It aims at completing production well in time and also with lesser costs. A
proper system of production control ensures continuous production, lesser
work-in-progress and minimisation of wastages.

Objectives of Production Control:

1. To ensure maximum utilisation of available resources thereby achieving
lesser cost of production.
2. To undertake the best and most economic production policies.
3. To make adequate arrangements for uninterrupted production by keeping
in view future obstacles in carrying production operations.
4. To introduce a proper system of quality control.

5. To ensure rapid turnover of production by minimising inventories of raw

materials and finished products.
Kimball and Kimball Jr. have rightly emphasised these objectives by pointing
out that the product shall be produced in the best and the cheapest method,
that it shall be of the required quality and that it shall be produced at the right
time.
It has been rightly pointed out that production control acts as the brain and
nervous system of the plant (as a coordinating agency); to coordinate the work
of engineering, purchasing, production, selling and inventory management.
It is a profitable investment and not an expense or a waste. The principal
objective of production control is to facilitate the process of manufacturing
and to see that everything is being performed strictly in accordance with the
plan.

Production Planning and Control:

It may be pointed out here that the words production planning and production
control are interconnected and synonymous in nature and are used
interchangeably in practical situations, as such these can be studied as
Production Planning and Control, Production planning and control is
concerned with preparation of production budget, arrangement of machinery,
equipment and materials for work, layout of plant and preparing estimates
with regard to labour, routing, scheduling, despatching and follow-up
operations.
A few definitions of production planning and control are given as under which
clearly explain its meaning.
Production planning and control comprise the planning, routing, scheduling,
dispatching and follow up functions in the productive process, so organised
that the movements of material, performance of machines and operations of

labour, however sub-divided, are directed and coordinated as to quality,

quantity, time and place. It is adopting as a business principle of the old age,
plan your work and work your plan.
Alford & Beatty
Production planning and control may be defined as the co-ordination of a
series of functions according to a plan which will economically utilize the plant
facilities and regulate the orderly movement of goods through their entire
manufacturing cycle, from the procurement of all materials to the shipping of
finished goods at a predetermined rate.
Charles A. Koepke
Production planning and control involves generally the organization and
planning of the manufacturing process. Specifically, it consists of the
planning, routing, scheduling, despatching and inspection, coordination and
the control of materials, methods, machines, tooling and operating times.
The ultimate objective is the organization of the supply and movement of
materials and labour, machine, utilization and related activities, in order to
bring about the desired manufacturing results in terms of quantity, quality,
time and place.
Gorden B. Carson
From the above mentioned definitions it is clear that production planning and
control is concerned with deciding in advance how much will be produced
during a particular period of time. In other words it is concerned with when,
how much, by whom and where production will be carried.
It is a blue print which is prepared right in advance of actual operations. On
the other hand, production control is concerned with initiating various checks

and measures in order to evaluate and compare actual results with the
anticipated or predetermined targets.