Simulation Testing of Aggregate Production Planning Models in an Implementation Methodology

The planning of production, inventories, and work force at an aggregate level to respond to fluctuating demands on a production system has received substantial theoretical treatment in the literature for several years. However, widespread implementation of the available analytical techniques has not occurred. The objectives of this research are to explore this implementation problem: (1) by developing a simulation model of an operating firm, (2) by using this simulation to compare the performance of aggregate production planning models, and (3) by formulating a generalized methodology for implementing quantitative planning models into the decision procedures of operating firms.