Compare order mixes against scarce capacity
Evaluate product priorities using their contribution and use of the limiting resource.
How this works
Evaluate product priorities using their contribution and use of the limiting resource.
Compare feasible production mixes using the resource that actually limits output. Contribution per constrained minute can guide a simplified scenario, but demand limits, other bottlenecks and relevant variable costs must remain explicit.
Before you start
Defined operating scope
Production priorities compete for a known scarce resource with measurable demand and contribution.
Required source material
Obtain Demand; Variable costs; Constraint time. If connectors are unavailable, use authorized files with the same fields.
Decision and exception rules
Another resource becomes limiting in the proposed mix. Add that constraint and recompute feasibility.
Prepare the inputs
- product_economics
- Required
Selling price and incremental variable costs
Use consistent currency and cost definitions.
- constraint_usage
- Required
Required scarce-resource time per unit
Validate the current limiting resource.
- demand_limits
- Required
Confirmed or scenario demand by product
Do not assume unlimited sales.
- available_capacity
- Required
Usable constrained time and other limits
Account for planned downtime and mandatory commitments.
Implementation, step by step
Establish the working record
- Confirm the selected records, effective versions and responsible owner.
- Check product_economics, constraint_usage, demand_limits, available_capacity before beginning. Record the source version and the selected scope; an unavailable value stays unknown rather than becoming an inferred fact.
Checkpoint: The input record identifies the selected product_economics and any missing required fields.
Validate the limiting resource
- Validate the limiting resource and ensure each product’s capacity consumption is comparable.
- Recalculate contribution, capacity use and demand bounds for every scenario.
Checkpoint: A saved intermediate result for: Validate the limiting resource.
Compare contribution per constrained unit
- Calculate contribution per unit and per constrained unit using deterministic arithmetic, preserving the chosen cost definition.
- Check mandatory orders, setup effects and other constraints omitted from the simplified model.
Checkpoint: A saved intermediate result for: Compare contribution per constrained unit.
Model feasible order mixes
- Model feasible order mixes within demand and capacity limits, then compare contribution and unmet demand with assumptions visible.
- Recalculate contribution, capacity use and demand bounds for every scenario.
Checkpoint: A saved intermediate result for: Model feasible order mixes.
Reconcile the proposed result
- Recalculate contribution, capacity use and demand bounds for every scenario.
- Check mandatory orders, setup effects and other constraints omitted from the simplified model.
Checkpoint: The listed discrepancies have a named reviewer or an explicit unresolved status.
Package the result and unresolved work
- Verify demand, capacity and costs; avoid replacing financial reporting with a simplified model.
- This scenario model does not replace financial reporting or promise realized profit.
Checkpoint: A production-priority scenario comparison. Unresolved items remain visible in the review record.
Decisions along the way
Another resource becomes limiting in the proposed mix.
Add that constraint and recompute feasibility.
Demand is insufficient for the highest-ranked product.
Cap it at supported demand and allocate remaining capacity to feasible alternatives.
Cost definitions mix fixed allocations with incremental costs.
Reconcile the intended decision model before interpreting the ranking.
What you will produce
constraint-aware-order-mix-result.json
JSONA production-priority scenario comparison. Label proposed and completed states separately.
Include: product · unit_contribution · constraint_time · contribution_per_constraint · mix_quantity · capacity_used · scenario_assumptions · status · evidence_reference · review_note
constraint-aware-order-mix-review.md
MarkdownKeep the evidence and unresolved decisions needed to apply this result, including exceptions involving available_capacity.
Include: source_reference · question · owner · next_action
Check the result
- Recalculate contribution, capacity use and demand bounds for every scenario.
- Check mandatory orders, setup effects and other constraints omitted from the simplified model.
- Inspect product_economics and constraint_usage in both the original and output; confirm that record identity and interpretation survived the transformation.
- Verify demand, capacity and costs; avoid replacing financial reporting with a simplified model.
When something goes wrong
Another resource becomes limiting in the proposed mix.
Add that constraint and recompute feasibility. Retain the affected evidence and recovery status.
Demand is insufficient for the highest-ranked product.
Cap it at supported demand and allocate remaining capacity to feasible alternatives. Retain the affected evidence and recovery status.
Cost definitions mix fixed allocations with incremental costs.
Reconcile the intended decision model before interpreting the ranking. Retain the affected evidence and recovery status.
A worked example
SYNTHETIC EXAMPLE · NOT A REPORTED BUSINESS RESULT
Request
Compare order mixes against scarce capacity for the following bounded example; prepare the result for review.
Inputs
Synthetic example: Product A contributes 30 units and needs 3 constrained minutes; B contributes 20 and needs 1. Capacity is 60 minutes, demand B at most 30 and A at most 20.
Expected result
Synthetic expected result: One feasible prioritized mix is 30 B and 10 A, using 60 minutes and contributing 900 units. This simplified result depends on the stated demand, cost and single-constraint assumptions.
Run a small pilot
Start small
Trial a representative batch containing the ordinary case and the exception demonstrated above.
Record the baseline
Record current preparation time, review effort and correction types for the same records.
Agree success criteria
Agree acceptable review and error limits; measure feasible scenarios accepted; contribution and capacity assumptions reconciled with actuals.
Stop or revise
Cost definitions mix fixed allocations with incremental costs. Pause affected records and apply this recovery: Reconcile the intended decision model before interpreting the ranking.
Keep the scope clear
- This scenario model does not replace financial reporting or promise realized profit.
- Production and commercial owners approve order priorities and customer commitments.
Check before using
Verify demand, capacity and costs; avoid replacing financial reporting with a simplified model.
Business activities
- Plan inventory and production
- Manage finances and accounting
FROM A RECIPE TO YOUR WORKFLOW
Bring the company context together.
This workflow needs reliable inputs before it needs a better prompt. Moat8 Vault brings working information into a readable archive for the AI tools you use.
For this recipe: Demand · Variable costs · Constraint time
Start with one recurring task, agree which sources to use, and review the first result with your team.
Discuss this workflow