a5c-ai Capacity Planner
Overview
The Capacity Planner skill provides comprehensive capabilities for capacity requirements planning. It supports demand-capacity gap analysis, strategy modeling, resource loading analysis, and what-if scenario analysis to ensure adequate capacity for meeting customer demand.
Capabilities
- Capacity requirements calculation
- Demand forecast integration
- Gap analysis visualization
- Lead, lag, match strategy modeling
- Resource loading analysis
- Rough-cut capacity planning
- What-if scenario analysis
- Capacity investment justification
Used By Processes
- CAP-001: Capacity Requirements Planning
- CAP-003: Sales and Operations Planning
- CAP-002: Production Scheduling Optimization
Tools and Libraries
- ERP/MRP systems
- Capacity planning software
- Forecasting tools
- Scenario modeling platforms
Usage
skill: capacity-planner
inputs:
planning_horizon: 12 # months
demand_forecast:
- month: 1
units: 10000
- month: 2
units: 11000
# ... additional months
resource_capacities:
- resource: "Assembly Line 1"
available_hours: 160
efficiency: 0.85
units_per_hour: 50
- resource: "Assembly Line 2"
available_hours: 160
efficiency: 0.80
units_per_hour: 45
capacity_options:
- option: "Add overtime"
cost: 1.5 # multiplier
capacity_increase: 25 # percent
- option: "New equipment"
cost: 500000
capacity_increase: 100 # percent
outputs:
- capacity_requirements
- gap_analysis
- resource_loading
- strategy_recommendations
- investment_analysis
Capacity Planning Process
Step 1: Calculate Requirements
Capacity Required = Demand / (Units per Hour x Efficiency)
Example:
- Demand: 10,000 units
- Rate: 50 units/hour
- Efficiency: 85%
- Required: 10,000 / (50 x 0.85) = 235 hours
Step 2: Assess Available Capacity
Effective Capacity = Available Hours x Efficiency x Utilization Target
Step 3: Identify Gaps
Capacity Gap = Capacity Required - Effective Capacity
Capacity Strategies
| Strategy | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Build capacity ahead of demand | Growth markets, competitive advantage |
| Lag | Add capacity after demand materializes | Uncertain demand, capital constraints |
| Match | Incrementally add capacity | Moderate growth, balanced approach |
Resource Loading Analysis
| Load Level | % Utilization | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Under-loaded | < 70% | Consider reduction or consolidation |
| Optimal | 70-85% | Maintain current state |
| Fully loaded | 85-95% | Monitor closely, plan additions |
| Over-loaded | > 95% | Immediate action required |
What-If Scenarios
Common scenarios to analyze:
- Demand increase of 20%
- Equipment breakdown
- Labor shortage
- New product introduction
- Seasonal peak periods
Integration Points
- ERP/MRP systems
- Demand planning systems
- Financial planning tools
- HR workforce planning