Spare Parts Know How

Spare Parts Inventory Management Training

  • Log-In
  • Individual Training
    • ‘Must Know’ Training
    • Advanced Course
    • Pro Level Membership
    • Masterclass Webinar
    • RMIC Certification
  • Team Training
    • Team Boot Camp
    • Elite Teams
    • In-Person Workshop
  • Open Archive
  • Other Resources
    • Books
    • Pro Level Library
    • Training Academy
    • Software and Services
      • Inventory Optimization Decision Support
      • Materials Data Management
  • Contact
  • About
    • Clients
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs
    • Phillip Slater

Definition of Just In Time (JIT)

April 9 spkhadmin

Just-In-Time

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:

  1. Toyota Production System, Taiichi Ohno, Productivity Press
  2. Smart Inventory Solutions 2nd Ed, Phillip Slater, Industrial Press.

 
 
 


For information on our Pro Level membership please visit our Pro Level page.


 
 
 
Posted by: Phillip Slater
 

Filed Under: Glossary

Substantial Global Community

Trusted by:
+20,000 professionals in
+130 countries
See a sample of companies HERE

Spare Parts Management Masterclass

Watch this on-demand webinar to discover the 8 strategies that will help you achieve your spare parts inventory management goals
Read more...

‘Must Know’ Training

Our ‘Must Know’ training course teaches the absolute ‘must know’ information, tools, techniques required for effective spare parts management.

Read more...

Advanced Spare Parts Management Course

For those who need to go deeper and broader.

Ideal if your goal is to update your company’s approach and systems for spare parts management.
Read more...

Pro Level Membership

With access to all our key resources, a Pro Level membership will equip you with the know-how and skills to become a ‘thought leader’ in spare parts inventory management.
Read more...

Online Boot Camp

A live, online, interactive, team-based delivery of our Basic Training course designed to provide your team with a common understanding of the basics of spare parts inventory management. Read more...

Software and Services

At SparePartsKnowHow.com we can help with more than just spare parts management training.

We also have access to software and services that are developed to help with spare parts inventory management.
Read more...

Latest Blog Posts

  • Systems Over Goals: A Smarter Way to Manage Spare Parts Inventory
  • Spare Parts Management Training: The Power of Curiosity and Commitment
  • Spare Parts Inventory Management: Small Wins and Compromises
  • Spare Parts Inventory Management Training: Letting Go of Ego
  • Best Practice Spare Parts Management
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
Copyright © 2025 IPIAIGHT PTY LTD.