Production management principles and practices

Production Management

One definition of Just-in-Time manufacturing reads, "a process where inventory is delivered to the factory by suppliers only when it's needed for assembly" (Just pp). Just-in-Time manufacturing is a systems approach to developing and operating a manufacturing system that is based on the total elimination of waste (Just1 pp). In other words, equipment, resources and labor are made available only in the amount required and at the time required to do the job, thus producing only the necessary units in the necessary quantities at the necessary time by bringing production rates exactly in line with market demand (Just1 pp). Basically, JIT means making what the market wants, when it wants it, and has been found to be so effective that it increases productivity, work performance and product quality, while saving costs (Just1 pp).

In order to have a Total JIT manufacturing system, there has to be a company-wide commitment, proper materials, quality, people and equipment that is always made available when needed (Just1 pp). Moreover, policies and procedures should be extended into the company's supplier and customer base in order to establish the identification of duplication of effort and performance feedback review to continuously reduce waste and improve quality (Just1 pp). This integration allows the supplier, manufacturers and customers to become an extension of the manufacturing production process, rather than each process being independently isolated, when actually these three sets of manufacturing stages are inter-related and dependent on one another (Just1 pp). The rules of productivity standards have changed to shape the economy and today's markets, thus every company should be receptive to changes and responsive to demand (Just1 pp). Every department should be committed to a common goal which is supported by the company's top management in order to have resources and time allocated to developing the necessary systems and procedures (Just1 pp).