Basic of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) :

MRP is a key tool used in manufacturing and production management to plan and track the Demand Management & Production Requirements. 

1. Bill of Materials (BOM): A practitioner needs to have a comprehensive and up-to-date bill of materials for the product being manufactured. The BOM lists all the components and raw materials required for production, along with their quantities and relationships.

2. Master Production Schedule (MPS): The MPS is a detailed plan that outlines the production requirements for each finished product. It includes information such as the quantity to be produced and the timing of production.

3. Inventory Control: A practitioner should have knowledge of inventory management techniques, such as ABC analysis, reorder point calculation, and safety stock determination. This helps in maintaining optimal inventory levels and avoiding stockouts or excess inventory.

4. Lead Time: Understanding the lead time for each material is crucial. Lead time refers to the time taken for an ordered item to arrive or be produced. Accurate lead time information helps in effectively planning production schedules and material order timings.

5. Demand Forecasting: Accurate demand forecasting plays a vital role in MRP. By analyzing historical data, market trends, and customer demand patterns, a practitioner can estimate future material requirements more accurately.

6. MRP Software: Familiarity with MRP software is essential for practitioners. It simplifies the calculation of material requirements, generates automated purchase and production orders, and provides real-time visibility into the production process.

7. Capacity Planning: Understanding the production capacity of the facility and its constraints is crucial for MRP. Practitioners need to consider the available capacity while planning material requirements to avoid production bottlenecks and ensure efficient resource utilization.

8. Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, such as suppliers, production teams, and other departments, are important. This ensures that accurate and timely information is shared, and everyone is aligned towards achieving production goals.