Introduction:
Production control is an essential function in manufacturing operations that involves planning, coordinating, and controlling various activities to ensure efficient and effective production. It encompasses several key activities such as forecasting, routing, scheduling, and dispatching. However, forecasting is not considered a direct function of production control.

Explanation:
1. Forecasting:
Forecasting is the process of estimating future demand for a product or service based on historical data, market trends, and other relevant factors. It helps organizations in determining the production levels, resource requirements, and inventory management. While forecasting plays a crucial role in production planning and decision-making, it is not considered a direct function of production control. Instead, it is typically performed by specialized forecasting teams or departments within an organization.

2. Routing:
Routing involves determining the most appropriate sequence of operations and the path that a product or service should follow during the production process. It includes identifying the specific machines, workstations, or departments that will be involved in each operation. Routing helps in optimizing the flow of materials, minimizing transportation costs, and ensuring smooth production operations.

3. Scheduling:
Scheduling is the process of determining the start and end times for each operation in the production process. It involves allocating resources such as machines, equipment, and labor to specific tasks and activities. Scheduling helps in balancing workloads, meeting delivery deadlines, and maximizing production efficiency.

4. Dispatching:
Dispatching involves releasing work orders to the shop floor or specific workstations, assigning tasks to workers, and providing necessary instructions for carrying out the operations. It ensures that the production activities are executed as per the planned schedule and that the required resources are available.

Conclusion:
While forecasting is a crucial aspect of production planning and decision-making, it is not considered a direct function of production control. Production control primarily focuses on activities such as routing, scheduling, and dispatching, which involve the coordination and control of production operations to ensure efficient and effective production.