Just In Time (JIT) is perhaps the most often quoted, and yet misunderstood, term in management.
JIT, developed as one pillar in the Toyota Production System (the other being autonomation), is a production management method that aims to eliminate waste and improve product flow on a production line.
This is usually achieved through the application of a kan-ban system to control the demand of components through demand pull and ensure that the next stage in the process receives ‘the exact item needed, when it is needed, and in the quantity needed‘.
An important aspect of JIT is the idea of ‘just’ – that is, that the item turns up just when needed and not before or after, as either of those states creates waste. Achieving this, without extensive planning and scheduling requires highly responsive production and supply systems.
In my opinion, JIT is not a management technique for non-production items such as spare parts inventory used for maintenance and operations support.
In recent times the term JIT has been largely taken to mean organizing for the required items to be available on site close to when they are needed and not held in inventory for a lengthy time – an outcome that is usually achieved with extensive planning and scheduling. This is not JIT – it is however good execution.
References:
- Toyota Production System, Taiichi Ohno, Productivity Press
- Smart Inventory Solutions 2nd Ed, Phillip Slater, Industrial Press.
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Posted by: Phillip Slater