CPIM Practice Exam

What statement is the most accurate regarding the master production schedule?

1. It is a plan agreed upon by finance and production departments

2. It can result in past-due schedules if poorly executed

3. It is a plan for families of products

4. It provides input to the production plan

The correct answer is: It can result in past-due schedules if poorly executed

The most accurate statement regarding the master production schedule (MPS) is that it can result in past-due schedules if poorly executed. The MPS serves as a critical component in production planning, detailing what products need to be produced, how many units, and by when. Proper execution is essential; if the MPS is not accurately aligned with capacity, resource availability, or demand forecasts, it can lead to scheduling delays. These delays manifest as past-due schedules, affecting overall productivity and potentially leading to customer dissatisfaction due to unmet delivery timelines. While the other statements touch on relevant aspects of the MPS, they do not encapsulate the potential consequences of poor execution as effectively. The MPS does involve collaboration with various departments, including finance and production, but it is not solely an agreement between these departments. It focuses more on specific products rather than just families of products, as it is tailored to individual items that must be produced in set quantities. Finally, while the MPS does provide input to the production plan, it is more nuanced in its relationship to production operations, making the implications of its execution particularly critical.