This course aims to introduce the scientific foundations and managerial framework of manufacturing systems. It explores the fundamental behavior of production systems, the impact of variability on system performance, and topics including supply chain management, forecasting, inventory control, capacity planning, master production scheduling, material requirements planning (MRP), scheduling theory, Theory of Constraints (TOC), and production control. The course is structured at both the macro and micro levels: the macro level focuses on overall system architecture and resource allocation decisions, while the micro level emphasizes shop floor scheduling and operational control. In addition to theoretical concepts and modeling techniques, the course highlights practical industry case analyses, using real manufacturing and supply chain scenarios to understand managerial issues and decision-making logic. Through case discussions, problem analysis, and team-based project presentations, students will investigate and demonstrate current hardware, software, system solutions, design concepts, and applications in production and operations management, thereby bridging theory and practice.

After completing this course, students are expected to achieve the following learning objectives:

• Understand the fundamental behavior of manufacturing systems: Develop a scientific perspective on manufacturing systems and understand the causal relationships and operational logic among capacity, inventory, flow time, and variability.
• Familiarize with production planning and control frameworks: Understand the role of production planning and control in enterprise operations and explain the interactions among supply chain management, forecasting, inventory policies, capacity planning, and master production scheduling.
• Master key production management methods and tools: Apply MRP, scheduling techniques, TOC/DBR, line balancing, and shop floor management methods to address production planning and dispatching problems.
• Analyze and improve manufacturing system performance: Identify bottlenecks and variability sources within production processes, evaluate their impact on efficiency, and propose improvement strategies.
• Understand trends and developments in modern manufacturing: Gain knowledge of current applications and advances in smart manufacturing, digital factories, automation, and information systems (e.g., MES/APS).
• Apply theory to real-world cases through industry case analysis to propose feasible improvement recommendations.