CPIM Practice Exam

Which scheduling option is likely to result in a realistic schedule while utilizing excess capacity?

1. Infinite forward scheduling.

2. Infinite backward scheduling.

3. Finite forward scheduling.

4. Finite backward scheduling.

The correct answer is: Finite forward scheduling.

Finite forward scheduling is the correct choice as it takes into account the available capacity and resources when creating a production schedule. This approach assesses the current load on resources and schedules operations accordingly, ensuring that no more work is scheduled than the available capacity can handle. By utilizing excess capacity, finite forward scheduling allows organizations to allocate resources efficiently and realistically, thus avoiding overloading any particular resource and minimizing potential bottlenecks. In contrast, infinite forward scheduling does not consider capacity constraints, which can often lead to unrealistic schedules that exceed what the resources can actually manage. This approach can create conflicts and inefficiencies in the production process. Infinite backward scheduling also does not take into account the limitations of capacity, instead focusing solely on meeting a deadline, which can similarly result in an impractical schedule. Finite backward scheduling, while also considering capacity, primarily works in reverse from a due date and may not utilize available excess capacity effectively to balance workloads. Thus, finite forward scheduling stands out as the most suitable approach for creating a realistic schedule while accounting for excess capacity.