With planning and scheduling technology constantly evolving and new software hitting the market regularly, many are asking if planners are still needed? Short answer – yes, they are! Whilst advanced planning and scheduling software like Opcenter APS can do the heavy lifting and take away the mundane repetitive tasks, it still requires an essential human input.
The benefits of advanced planning and scheduling software
Opcenter APS can bring a huge number of benefits to a business. It can process vast amounts of data, consider multiple variables simultaneously, and generate streamlined schedules swiftly. This capability is invaluable in industries like fast moving consumer goods where precise timing and resource management can make or break success.
However, Opcenter APS and software like it operates based on algorithms and parameters set by human planners. It takes into account business rules, constraints, and other criteria defined by experts who understand their company’s operations and key performance indicators (KPIs). This setup highlights a key point: while Opcenter APS streamlines operations, it cannot replace the strategic insight and decision-making abilities of human planners.
Why do planners remain essential?
Despite the automation capabilities of tools like Opcenter APS, human planners still play an important role for many reasons, including:
Strategic expertise
Planners provide strategic input by setting up the software, defining parameters, and ensuring that automated decisions align with broader business objectives. Their expertise ensures that schedules generated by the software are practical and effective in real-world scenarios and can accomplish the specific and potentially unique goals of the business they work for.
Scenario planning and continuous improvement
Beyond day-to-day scheduling, planners engage in scenario planning. They explore different possibilities, anticipate challenges, and strategize solutions. This proactive approach is essential for adapting to unexpected changes and continually improving operational efficiency.
Quality control and exception management
While Opcenter APS excels at routine tasks and schedule enhancement, it’s not totally incapable of getting it wrong. Planners use their experience to validate schedules, identify potential issues, and manage exceptions that the software may overlook. This human oversight ensures that operational plans are not just correct but possible.
Interpersonal skills and collaboration
Planners interact with various stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and internal teams. They can communication developments, negotiate changes, and build consensus around scheduling decisions. These interpersonal skills are key to managing relationships and ensuring alignment across a business; it’s not something technology is quite ready to do yet!
The 80/20 rule: Balancing automation and expertise
A helpful way to understand the relationship between technology and human expertise is what we like to call the 80/20 rule. Opcenter APS and similar tools handle approximately 80% of the workload — things like automating mundane tasks, improving schedules, and reducing manual effort. This automation allows planners to focus on the remaining 20% —the strategic, value-added aspects of their role that require human insight.
This division frees up planners’ time, letting them dive deeper into analytics, explore different scenarios, and think of fresh, creative ways to enhance their planning processes. It can also improve job satisfaction by allowing planners to make a real impact on business outcomes, instead of feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by routine tasks.
Technology and planners work best together
Integrating Opcenter APS into planning processes isn’t just a technology upgrade; it’s a cultural shift in how organisations handle scheduling and resource management. Instead of seeing automation as a threat, planners can see these tools as helpers that take away the repetitive work so they can focus on the more important parts.
With Opcenter APS, planners can:
- Spend more time on strategic planning, forecasting, and long-term business goals.
- Use data-driven insights to make better decisions and manage resources.
- Spot opportunities for efficiency gains, cost savings, and operational excellence through ongoing planning cycles.
Ready to see how advanced planning and scheduling software can help your business? Contact us today. With our years of expertise and skills, we’re able to help give tailored solutions for your business. We even have experience working with big brands, so you can be confident that you’re in safe hands.
