Precedence diagramming for job scheduling with operation overlapping

Precedence networks are widely used within manufacturing planning and control systems as a technique for scheduling production orders and resources. According to just in time concepts, subsequent operations of a job are often run in parallel, especially when highly automated production technology is applied. This paper presents a variety of operation overlapping techniques which are designed to extend basic network analysis. Operation overlapping is established by use of various precedence relationships and defining adequate time delays between subsequent operations. The paper provides a methodological framework for job scheduling with operation overlapping considering manufacturing as well as assembly operations with a high degree of commonality in the bill of material structure.