[2] This plan quantifies significant processes, parts, and other resources in order to optimize production, to identify bottlenecks, and to anticipate needs and completed goods.
Since a MPS drives much factory activity, its accuracy and viability dramatically affect profitability.
Due to software limitations, but especially the intense work required by the "master production schedulers", schedules do not include every aspect of production, but only key elements that have proven their control effectivity, such as forecast demand, production costs, inventory costs, lead time, working hours, capacity, inventory levels, available storage, and parts supply.
Using MPS helps avoid shortages, costly expediting, last minute scheduling, and inefficient allocation of resources.
Outputs may include amounts to be produced, staffing levels, quantity available to promise, and projected available balance.