Questions: Which of the following is the definition of a master operations schedule?

The answer is: A top-level schedule showing which products will be produced, and when, in upcoming time periods.

Explanation for each option:

1. Schedule showing daily work assignments with start and stop time for assigned jobs:

   • This describes a daily work schedule or a job schedule, which details the specific tasks and their timings for a particular day. It is not a master operations schedule.

2. A top-level schedule showing which products will be produced, and when, in upcoming time periods:

   • This is the correct definition of a master operations schedule. It provides an overview of the production plan, indicating what products will be manufactured and the timeline for their production. This helps in aligning production with demand and managing resources effectively.

3. Production schedule that breaks down large projects into steps to be performed and specifies the time required to perform each step:

   • This describes a project schedule or a detailed production plan, which is more granular and focuses on the specific steps and their durations within a project. It is not the same as a master operations schedule.

4. Assigned working times in upcoming days for each employee on each work shift:

   • This refers to an employee shift schedule, which outlines the working hours for employees. It is not related to the overall production planning and scheduling of products.

By understanding these distinctions, it becomes clear that the master operations schedule is a high-level plan that guides the production process over a specified period.