Trust MRPII to assist your business (just like your Sat Nav!)

As I was finishing the 'go live' of a client's MRPII system, I found myself explaining to their members of staff that trusting the MRP suggestions is a lot like just trusting the Sat Nav you have in your car. I'm sure you've experienced the time when you're Sat Nav has told you to take the next left but you decided to carry on driving straight ahead. When you get to your destination you often have the insight that you're Sat Nav was in fact correct and had provided you with the best route. Your route was sub-optimal in this example.

MRPII systems are very similar, we may not understand why they're telling us what to do, but with a bit of digging, and a little bit of understanding we can understand why it is doing what it is doing. Once this comfortable state has been achieved we can then follow the MRPII instructions and use our new found time savings to better effect, such as our continuous improvement projects (rather than running around like headless chickens and fire fighting).

So, if you find that you are not trusting your MRPII system's suggestions then perhaps it's time to undergo some personal education (and fix the system where appropriate) and then see if you can start using your system to full effect.

Smartspeed Consulting Limited
Taking the frustration out of on time delivery.

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