AAOM Handbook

MS.14 Create Routine Operating Schedule

Context

The objective of the Production and Service strategies, and Operating Master Schedule, for a process is to define how to deliver the performance targets at the confidence level required. It is the Operating Master Schedule that specifies when the Production and Service strategies will be implemented. It is in effect the route map of work content, sequencing and timing, that is most likely to deliver the required performance. As with any route map prepared before a journey, the closer the actual journey follows the content, sequencing and timing of the route, the more likely that the destination will be achieved on time and within cost expectations. Success in delivering the process performance forecast by the Operating Master schedule will therefore depend on the actual Execution Schedule (the schedule developed and executed in Work Management) following as closely as possible the intent set out within the approved Operating Master Schedule. The Operating Master Schedule is a forecasting tool and not an execution tool. It therefore does not contain all of the Work Packages and all of the planning detail required for execution. It does however set out the key Activities, the sequencing and timing of these, the operating and down times for the process, and the process resource demands over time. This information can be used as a framework (referred to as the Routine Operating Schedule) for building an Execution Schedule that will deliver the intent of the Operating Master Schedule. If all of the work that is identified as necessary, appropriate and funded in the Work Management process, can be organised within the framework of sequencing, timing, operating/down times, and process resource demands defined by the Routine Operating Schedule, then the performance forecasts of the Operating Master Schedule are likely to be delivered. The Routine Operating Schedule is produced from the Operating Master Schedule by extracting; • the sequencing and timing of activities with critical dependencies (this is equivalent to the summary tasks within a typical project schedule), • for single line processes (i.e. those with a single entry and exit point, such as a typical crushing circuit), the occurrence of operating and downtime, and • for multi-line processes (i.e. those with a multiple independent entry and exit points, such as a typical haulage fleet), the number of operating and down lines (e.g. trucks) at each point in time.

Purpose

To define the significant parameters for constructing an Execution Schedule that will deliver the performance forecast by the Operating Master Schedule.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2006

Operational Planning: Set Operating Master Schedule

Updated: August 2018

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