Is a project management software a suitable tool for job shop scheduling

Make-to-order manufacturing is a bit like working off projects, because each customer order is manufactured individually, so each one can be seen as a project in itself in manufacturing. That's why there are project management software vendors that advertise their products for manufacturing as well. Can project management software actually take over the function of production scheduling software at job shops? In this blog post, I want to compare both solutions.

I noticed that our product videos on our Youtube channel are often preceded by an ad from a project management software vendor that claims to be a valuable asset to manufacturing. Can project management software be a real competitor to our production scheduling software? Can it really effectively support the complex manufacturing structure of a make-to-order manufacturer and ultimately lead to more efficiency in business? I wanted to investigate these questions and ChatGPT helped me with my research.

Commonalities between PM and Production Scheduling Software

First, I want to know if, and if so, what commonalities project management software and production scheduling software have. ChatGPT provides me with the following commonalities:

Task Management: Both project management software and production scheduling tools offer capabilities for creating and managing tasks or activities. They typically provide a way to define tasks, assign them to resources, set dependencies, and track their progress.

Gantt Charts: Gantt charts are commonly found in both project management software and production scheduling tools. These visual representations of tasks and their timelines help users understand the sequencing and duration of activities.

Resource Allocation: Both types of software allow users to allocate resources, such as machines, equipment, and labor, to tasks or jobs. Users can assign specific resources to activities and track their availability and utilization.

Time Management: Time management features, such as setting start and end dates, estimating task durations, and tracking progress against timelines, are present in both project management software and production scheduling tools. Users can monitor and manage project or job timelines to ensure timely completion.

Reporting and Analytics: Both types of software offer reporting and analytics capabilities to provide insights into project progress, resource utilization, and overall performance. Users can generate reports, view dashboards, and analyze data to make informed decisions.

Collaboration and Communication: Collaboration and communication features are often available in both project management software and production scheduling tools. These features enable team members to collaborate, share information, communicate updates, and collaborate on tasks or jobs.

Integration and Data Exchange: Both types of software allow for integration with other systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) software or manufacturing execution systems (MES). This integration facilitates data exchange and synchronization between different software applications, ensuring seamless workflow and information flow.

So there are a lot of commonalities between the two and a similar field of application might actually be possible. 
But there already comes a warning from ChatGPT:

It's important to note that while these features may exist in both project management software and production scheduling tools, their depth, complexity, and focus may differ. Project management software typically provides a broader set of features to manage overall projects, while production scheduling tools are more specialized in optimizing the scheduling and execution of production orders.

Limitations of PM software in manufacturing

So what are the limitations that project management software has for make-to-order companies? Here ChatGPT cites the following points:

Lack of Flexibility: Project planning systems are typically designed to manage projects with predefined tasks and milestones. However, in make-to-order manufacturing, each job is unique, requiring customized production processes and varying lead times. Project planning systems struggle to handle the inherent complexity and flexibility required for effective scheduling in such environments.

Inability to Account for Variability: Make-to-order manufacturing often involves dealing with uncertainties and variations, such as changes in customer requirements, supply chain disruptions, and unforeseen production challenges. Project planning systems are ill-equipped to handle these fluctuations, resulting in inaccurate scheduling and missed delivery deadlines.

Failure to Optimize Resource Allocation: Efficient resource allocation is essential for maximizing productivity and reducing costs in manufacturing operations. Project planning systems typically focus on task sequencing and fail to consider resource utilization in detail. This leads to inefficient utilization of machines, labor, and other resources, causing bottlenecks and reducing overall operational efficiency.

Limited Visibility and Real-Time Monitoring: Project planning systems typically provide a static view of the project, making it difficult to monitor the progress of individual jobs or identify potential delays in real time. Make-to-order manufacturing requires constant monitoring and timely adjustments to ensure smooth production flow. Project planning systems lack the necessary visibility and dynamic monitoring capabilities.

Production scheduling tools are a must-have for make-to-order manufacturers

Understood. So it's not a good idea to use project management software for production scheduling at make-to-order manufacturers after all. Why then are production scheduling tools a must-have for these companies? ChatGPT:

Dynamic Scheduling: Production scheduling tools are specifically designed to handle the complexity and variability of make-to-order manufacturing. They offer dynamic scheduling algorithms that can adapt to changing circumstances, allowing for real-time adjustments to meet customer demands while considering resource availability and constraints.

Optimization of Resources: A dedicated production scheduling tool enables optimized resource allocation by considering factors such as machine capacities, labor skills, and material availability. By intelligently assigning resources to jobs, these tools minimize idle time, reduce bottlenecks, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Integration with Real-Time Data: Production scheduling tools can integrate with various data sources, including ERP systems, machine sensors, and supply chain platforms, to gather real-time information. This integration enables better visibility into production processes, facilitates proactive decision-making, and helps identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate.

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Efficient production scheduling ensures on-time delivery, which is crucial for customer satisfaction in make-to-order manufacturing. By accurately estimating lead times, considering order priorities, and managing production bottlenecks, production scheduling tools enable companies to fulfill customer expectations consistently.

And as a conclusion, ChatGPT still leads:

While project planning systems have their merits, they are not suitable for effectively scheduling jobs in make-to-order manufacturing. The unique challenges of this industry demand a dedicated production scheduling tool that can handle the complexity, variability, and dynamic nature of operations. Implementing a production scheduling tool empowers manufacturing companies to optimize resources, monitor operations in real time, and improve customer satisfaction by delivering orders on time. By embracing these tools, make-to-order manufacturers can gain a competitive edge in today's demanding marketplace.

Thank you very much, dear ChatGPT, for your support, I am very happy about this conclusion because this was the result I was counting on when I was investigating the question if a project management software is a suitable tool for effective production scheduling of a make-to-order manufacturer. 
Remains for me only the wish and hope that all who now see the advertisement of the project management software provider on our YouTube channel, read this blog post to be able to assess the value of their offer 😊