TL;DR: A production management system helps manufacturers plan, execute, and control production in a structured way. For Indian SME manufacturers, it reduces delays, controls costs, and brings real-time visibility across planning, inventory, and shop-floor execution.

In many Indian SME manufacturing businesses, the absence of a structured production management system leads to delays, material shortages, inconsistent quality, and missed delivery timelines. These issues increase operational costs and create constant firefighting for owners and production teams.

This guide explains what a production management system is, why it matters, and how it helps manufacturers run predictable and efficient operations.

What Is Production Management?

Production management is the discipline of planning, directing, and controlling manufacturing activities to produce goods efficiently and on time.

It ensures that raw materials, manpower, machines, and processes are aligned so finished goods meet quality expectations while controlling costs and timelines.

For SMEs, production management brings balance between quantity, quality, cost, and delivery commitments. It focuses on making sure the right resources are available at the right time to meet customer demand.

What Is a Production Management System?

A production management system is software that digitises and automates production planning, execution, and monitoring.

It tracks production data such as bill of materials, production schedules, forecasts, strategies, and production costs. The system also helps monitor progress, identify bottlenecks early, and take corrective action before delays escalate.

By integrating with inventory and material requirements planning, it ensures materials are available when production starts and prevents last-minute shortages.

Functions of Production Management

Production management works through five core functions that keep manufacturing on track.

1. Planning

Defines what to produce, how much to produce, and when to produce based on demand forecasts.

2. Organising

Arranges machines, labour, materials, and workflows to meet production targets.

3. Directing

Guides teams through instructions, supervision, and execution of production plans.

4. Controlling

Monitors progress against plans and corrects deviations in time, cost, or quality.

5. Coordination

Ensures all departments work together smoothly throughout the production cycle.

Example of Production Management

Production management becomes clearer when seen in a real manufacturing scenario.

In an automobile plant, production managers plan model-wise output based on demand. They allocate raw materials, organise labour and machines, and coordinate design, assembly, and quality teams.

Continuous monitoring helps detect delays or defects early. When production is managed well, vehicles are delivered on time, quality standards are maintained, and customer expectations are met.

Importance of Production Management

Production management is critical because it directly impacts cost, delivery, and competitiveness.

• Ensures optimal use of resources

• Enables day-to-day production control

• Helps teams adapt to market changes

• Builds operational flexibility and agility

• Supports long-term growth objectives

For SMEs, strong production management reduces chaos and creates predictable outcomes.

Types of Production Management

Different production environments require different management approaches.

Job Shop Production

Best for low-volume, high-variety manufacturing where flexibility is critical.

Batch Production

Products are manufactured in batches, commonly used in food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Mass Production

High-volume, standardised production using assembly lines.

Continuous Production

Uninterrupted production flow for large-scale, efficiency-driven manufacturing.

Key Features of a Production Management System

A production management system brings control through the following features.

• Planning and scheduling based on demand and capacity

• Inventory control to ensure material availability

• Quality control across production stages

• Cost control to protect margins

• Reporting and analytics for informed decisions

• Integrated production scheduling

Benefits of a Production Management System

The biggest benefit is visibility and control across the entire production lifecycle.

• Automates routine workflows

• Improves collaboration between teams

• Provides real-time production insights

• Enhances delivery reliability and cost management

• Eliminates unnecessary manual tracking

• Helps track and improve key performance indicators

• Manages complex production priorities with ease

Automating Production Management for Indian SMEs

Modern production management systems help SMEs move from reactive firefighting to proactive control.

They enable better planning, execution, and tracking of daily production activities while improving quality and delivery reliability.

For Indian SME manufacturers, automation creates stability, improves decision-making, and frees leadership teams to focus on growth instead of daily operational issues.

FAQs on Production Management System

What are the types of production management systems?

Production management systems include approaches such as lean manufacturing, just-in-time production, and computer-integrated manufacturing, depending on operational needs.

What is a production information management system?

It is a framework that manages end-to-end production data for planning, collaboration, tracking, and quality control.

What is a production system in production management?

A production system refers to the combination of resources, processes, and technologies used to convert inputs into finished goods.

What are the four types of production systems?

Intermittent production, continuous production, mass production, and batch production.

What is an example of a production management system?

Enterprise Resource Planning systems and Manufacturing Execution Systems are common examples used to manage and monitor production activities.

What is the difference between production and operations management?

Production management focuses on manufacturing processes, while operations management covers the broader operational activities required to deliver products on time.