Concept:
Production Planning and Control (PPC) coordinates the operational workflow of a manufacturing facility using four sequential phases:
• Routing: Determines the optimal path, sequence of operations, and machines required to transform raw materials into a finished part. (Answers *Where* and *How*).
• Scheduling: Assigns specific start and completion times for each operation. (Answers *When*).
• Dispatching: Issues official production orders and releases the work packages to the factory floor to initiate real-time operations. (Answers *Action*).
• Follow up (Expediting): Monitors active production progress against the plan to catch bottlenecks and fix delays. (Answers *Verification*).
Step 1: Establish the logical sequence of operations.
- A factory must plan the operational path before assigning execution times: $\text{Routing} \rightarrow \text{Scheduling}$.
- Timelines must be finalized before authorizing the shop floor to begin work: $\text{Scheduling} \rightarrow \text{Dispatching}$.
- Monitoring and expediting can only occur after the work has been dispatched and initiated: $\text{Dispatching} \rightarrow \text{Follow up}$.
Therefore, the correct operational sequence is: Routing $\rightarrow$ Scheduling $\rightarrow$ Dispatching $\rightarrow$ Follow up.