A method of analyzing a manufacturing system. The manufacturing system
includes a plurality of manufacturing resources. A set of orders is
currently appointed for processing by the manufacturing system. Each
order of the set of orders requires performance of at least one task.
Each task is to be performed by at least a respective one of the
manufacturing resources. The method includes determining stochastic
parameters for each task of the plurality of tasks. The method also
includes calculating a loading profile for at least one of the
manufacturing resources that is allocated to at least one of the
plurality of tasks. The loading profile function is a function of time
and represents a probability that the manufacturing resource is occupied
at a given time. The calculation is based at least in part on the
stochastic parameters of the tasks.