The document discusses short-term scheduling in various contexts such as airlines and manufacturing. It provides examples of how factors like weather can disrupt airline schedules and how investment in technology can help recovery. Forward and backward scheduling are introduced as two common approaches, with forward scheduling beginning as requirements are known and backward scheduling beginning with final due dates. The goals of short-term scheduling are outlined as minimizing completion time and work-in-process inventory while maximizing utilization and minimizing customer wait times. Key factors that affect scheduling are identified as volume, operations nature, and job complexity.