6.6 THE PRODUCTION PLAN

The production plan includes careful consideration of:

      product specifications,
      raw materials,
      processing,
      distribution,
      quality assurance,
      personnel,
      costs,
      timing schedules.

The production plan is developed after trial runs have solved any problems with the raw materials and processing. This may be just two or three runs if a standard process is to be used but many months, even years, for an innovative process.

The initial production plan is usually gradually changed as the production outputs are increased. The product developers should cooperate with the production staff in developing the plan, but responsibility for the production plan is with the production/technical manager.

Think Break 6.9 The production plan: fruit drink powder For the fruit drink powder described in previous Think Breaks in Chapter 5, Think Break 5.5 (Section 5.4.4), and Section 5.7 (Section 5.7), study your information.. What further information would you need to develop a production plan, using the areas listed above? Whom would you contact to get this information? Outline a production plan for the fruit drink powder, showing the stages in the production plan development.