Which planning method is used primarily for adjusting workforce levels to meet production needs?

The chase planning method is primarily focused on adjusting workforce levels in response to production needs. This approach aligns production rates and staffing levels directly with customer demand. When demand fluctuates, the chase plan allows for scaling workforce size—either by increasing or decreasing the number of workers hired or laid off to match production requirements. It emphasizes flexibility, ensuring that the production process is always aligned with actual demand, thereby minimizing excess inventory or shortages.

The level plan, while effective for stabilizing production output, does not adjust workforce levels frequently and thus may not be suitable for environments where demand is highly variable. Strategic capacity planning is more focused on long-term capacity alignment and investment decisions rather than immediate workforce adjustments. The fixed production plan assumes a steady production level regardless of demand, which can lead to inefficiencies when demand changes significantly. Therefore, the chase plan is the most suitable method specifically designed for the continuous adjustment of workforce levels to meet varying production needs.