Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
Planning and scheduling practice that applies whichever system you run.
Scheduling 26,000+ Tasks on the World's Largest Aircraft Carrier
How the USS Nimitz used Resource Manager for Excel to schedule 26,000+ maintenance tasks across 4 nuclear plants with 400+ users. A defense scheduling case study.
RMDB Customer Testimonials & Reviews
Real customer testimonials and reviews of Resource Manager DB scheduling software from GE, BAE Systems, Cummins, Enevate, Technical Glass Products, and more. Unfiltered feedback from 35+ years.
The ROI of Production Scheduling Software: Data & Proof
Documented ROI data from real scheduling software implementations: 30% to 90% on-time shipping, 80% reduction in scheduling labor, 4% capacity gains, and more. Build your business case with real numbers.
Scheduling Software Total Cost of Ownership vs Alternatives
Scheduling software total cost of ownership compared with Excel, ERP modules, enterprise APS and manual methods, including the hidden costs vendors skip.
Capacity Utilization KPI: Formula, Benchmarks, and Optimization Strategies
Calculate manufacturing capacity utilization accurately, compare benchmarks by industry, and learn why optimizing utilization - not maximizing it - drives the best manufacturing outcomes.
Changeover Time Reduction: SMED Guide with Formulas and Strategies
Reduce manufacturing changeover times by 40-60% using SMED methodology. Includes changeover time formulas, industry benchmarks, step-by-step implementation, and scheduling optimization techniques.
Cost Per Unit in Manufacturing: Calculation, Benchmarks, and Reduction Strategies
Calculate manufacturing cost per unit accurately with formulas for material, labor, and overhead allocation. Includes benchmarks and strategies to reduce unit costs through scheduling optimization.
First Pass Yield (FPY): Formula, Benchmarks, and Improvement Guide
Calculate first pass yield accurately, compare against industry benchmarks, and implement strategies to reduce rework and scrap. Includes rolled throughput yield and scheduling connections.
Inventory Turnover Ratio: Calculation, Benchmarks, and Improvement Strategies
Master the inventory turnover ratio with calculation formulas, industry benchmarks by sector, and proven strategies to improve turns while maintaining service levels and avoiding stockouts.
Machine Downtime Tracking: Reason Codes, Formulas, Pareto
How to track machine downtime: the reason codes to log, availability, MTBF and MTTR formulas, Pareto analysis of downtime causes and benchmarks for reducing it.
Manufacturing Cycle Time: Definition, Formula and Efficiency
What is cycle time in manufacturing? The definition, the formula with a worked example, manufacturing cycle efficiency, benchmarks and how to reduce it.
How to Reduce Manufacturing Lead Time: Formula and Strategies
Queue time is 80 to 90% of manufacturing lead time. Get the lead time formula, lead time efficiency benchmarks and the scheduling steps that cut it 30 to 50%.