Material Requirements Planning
Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is a production planning, scheduling, and inventory control system used to manage manufacturing processes. It calculates the materials needed for production based on a master production schedule, bill of materials, and inventory records, ensuring materials are available when required while minimizing stock levels. MRP helps manufacturers optimize inventory, reduce costs, and improve production efficiency by synchronizing supply with demand.
Developers should learn MRP when working on enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, supply chain management software, or manufacturing applications to implement inventory and production planning features. It is essential for roles in industries like manufacturing, logistics, or retail where accurate material forecasting and scheduling are critical for operational efficiency. Understanding MRP enables developers to build systems that automate material procurement, reduce waste, and support just-in-time production strategies.