The Antenna Case Study: A Scheduling and Coordination Challenge
Garrett Brown, Leticia Campos De Castro Ferreira, Sonia E. Leach, and Monica E. Brussolo
University of Texas at Dallas, USA
Volume 15: 2021, pp. 23-32; ABSTRACT
Coordinating the manufacture of a small-batch, irregularly scheduled airplane part is a difficult task. The addition of subcontractors and aging parts makes this activity even more difficult. This case focuses on the problem of scheduling and coordinating the production of the irregular timeline of an airplane antenna. XYZ Aerospace manufactures an antenna for an aircraft and needs to respond to intermittent orders and strict deadlines. This case illustrates the coordination between a contractor (XYZ Aerospace) and its subcontractor (ABC Corporation) for manufacturing scheduling, issues that arise in scheduling when parts fail to meet testing requirements, and aging parts that expire before being able to be used for the manufacturing activity. In-depth group discussion and coordination are the tools used to solve this case. The case may be used in Supply Chain Management undergraduate and graduate courses as a learning tool for supply chain, manufacturing, and supplier and customer relationship management.
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