APICS Operations Management Body of Knowledge Framework, Third Edition

6.3 Scheduling techniques

Various scheduling techniques are used for determining how to define and control capacity and load.

Finite scheduling. Finite scheduling is assigning no more work to a work center than it can be expected to execute in a given period.

Infinite scheduling. Infinite scheduling involves calculating the capacity required at work centers in each period to run a schedule that was developed without regard 
to actual capacity.

Forward scheduling. Forward scheduling involves scheduling work starting on the planned release date or the current date and determining the future completion date.

Backward scheduling. Backward scheduling involves scheduling from the customer's planned receipt date and moves backward in time to determine the start date of the work.