Which of the following answers best describes a master production schedule?

The master production schedule (MPS) is fundamentally a plan that determines how much of each product is to be produced in a specific time frame. This involves creating a detailed breakdown of production quantities for each individual product, thereby aligning production plans with actual demand and inventory levels. The MPS acts as a critical component in manufacturing and material planning, ensuring that sufficient quantities of each product are available to meet customer orders and market needs while optimizing resource utilization.

While forecasting demand is essential to the entire production process, it is a broader, more strategic approach that does not specify production quantities directly. Managing raw materials is also vital, but this activity is typically governed by separate inventory and supply chain management practices rather than the MPS itself. Additionally, while a list of all production activities is important, the master production schedule's focus is specifically on defined production quantities and timing rather than on all activities related to the production process. Therefore, the correct description of the master production schedule is the detailed breakdown of production quantities for each product.