Optimal hybrid push/pull control strategies for a parallel multistage system: Part II

Abstract

The strategies developed in part I of this paper are extended to a more general case in part II. Based on the optimal policy structure of a Markov Decision Process model and by control and information structure analysis, we propose that the ‘best’ strategy for a general series/parallel multistage (assembly) production/inventory system is to use a push (MRP) strategy at all initial stages of the system and a pull (JIT) strategy at all the other downstream stages. As viewed from the information structure, this recommended strategy is a group of decentralized controllers with a centralized coordinator.