A Decision Framework based on Aggregate Production Planning Strategies in a Multi Product Factory: A Furniture Industry Case Study

Simon Chinguwa, Ignatio Madanhire, Trust Musoma

Abstract: This research study investigates the best model of aggregate planning activity in an industrial firm and uses the trial and error method on spreadsheets to solve aggregate production planning problems. Also linear programming model is introduced to optimize the aggregate production planning problem. Application of the models in a furniture production company is evaluated to demonstrate that practical and beneficial solutions can be obtained from the models. Finally some benchmarking of other furniture manufacturing industries was undertaken to assess relevance and level of use in other furniture firms.

Keywords: Aggregate Production Planning, trial and error, linear programming, furniture industry, optimize