4 M’s of Production Management

If Sales is the engine that powers Auto Salvage yards then Production
is the drive train that gets us where we are going. Production is both reactive
and proactive almost simultaneously. It reacts to what is sold today and must
meet the expectations set by the sales team; also, it must anticipate what
most likely will be needed in the near future.
Using the Inventory Management System to establish what is needed
and at what inventory stock levels impacts the first M -- Method. The
Manager will determine the most efficient way for each portion of the process
to be done to eliminate damage to the product and to eliminate areas where
time and manpower are being wasted. Controlling waste is the key to
efficient and profitable production.
The second M is Manpower. When examining the Methods, you now
have in place, what is the ideal number of people it will take to perform these
methods and what positions should they be in? How will the personnel be
trained and measured for performance? What is the “cycle time” of each
part of the Method?
Machine is the third M in the sequence. When examining your
facilities, vehicles and tools, do you have everything you need to ensure the
safety of the employees while maximizing the efficiency and productivity of
the department? Do all employees have access to the same tools and
equipment if needed? Do the tools enable them to perform tasks
independently? Are they trained on how to maintain the machinery and
tools?
Materials are the last portions of the M’s of Production. Do you have
the materials needed to perform all parts of production and are they
conveniently located to minimize waste? Example: All material needed to
clean and package are always available and are placed to minimize effort.
Does the layout of the production department minimize wasted movement?
Example: Does the part flow go in one direction or does it zig and zag
throughout your facility.
 4 M’s of Production Management
If Sales is the engine that powers Auto Salvage yards then Production
is the drive train that gets us where we are going. Production is both reactive
and proactive almost simultaneously. It reacts to what is sold today and must
meet the expectations set by the sales team; also, it must anticipate what
most likely will be needed in the near future.

Using the Inventory Management System to establish what is needed

and at what inventory stock levels impacts the first M -- Method. The
Manager will determine the most efficient way for each portion of the process
to be done to eliminate damage to the product and to eliminate areas where
time and manpower are being wasted. Controlling waste is the key to efficient
and profitable production.

The second M is Manpower. When examining the Methods, you now have
in place, what is the ideal number of people it will take to perform these
methods and what positions should they be in? How will the personnel be
trained and measured for performance? What is the “cycle time” of each part
of the Method?

Machine is the third M in the sequence. When examining your facilities,

vehicles and tools, do you have everything you need to ensure the safety of
the employees while maximizing the efficiency and productivity of the
department? Do all employees have access to the same tools and equipment
if needed? Do the tools enable them to perform tasks independently? Are
they trained on how to maintain the machinery and tools?

Materials are the last portions of the M’s of Production. Do you have
the materials needed to perform all parts of production and are they
conveniently located to minimize waste? Example: All material needed to clean
and package are always available and are placed to minimize effort. Does the
layout of the production department minimize wasted movement? Example:
Does the part flow go in one direction or does it zig and zag throughout your
facility.