Just In Time (JIT) is a production technique, which relies on the philosophy of constant enhancement via problem-solving. Closely allied to Lean Production methods, the aim of JIT production is to offer value to the customer, when it is wanted and with very little waste. Variability in the context of JIT systems is ‘deviation from optimum’. As a result of variability quality and efficiency of the production process gets reduced. Variabilities in production and distribution systems are those unexpected occurrences that upset or alter pre-planned production activities. As a way of overcoming such variabilities, JIT systems use existing inventories judiciously and tactically. For example, “the ‘extra’ inventory is then used to cover variations or problems. Effective inventory tactics require ‘just in time’, not ‘just in case’. JIT inventory is the minimum inventory necessary to keep a perfect system running. With JIT inventory, the exact amount of goods arrives at the moment it is needed, not a minute before or a minute after.” (Chapter 16, p.495)
One way in which JIT can help remove variability is by “eliminating inventory that hides variability in the production system”. A suitable analogy to illustrate this point is a lake full of rocks. “The water in the lake represents inventory flow, and the rocks represent problems such as late deliveries, machine breakdowns, and poor personnel performance. The water level in the lake hides variability and problems. Because inventory hides problems, they are hard to find”. (Chapter 16, p.495) JIT can help reduce variability here by reducing unwanted inventory. The top management can greatly reduce variability by adopting JIT practices. By reducing inventory, the metaphorical ‘rocks’ in the system (which stand for variability and other problems currently hidden from view) comes into full view. It is then much easier for the management to work on these exposed problem areas and clear up the lake so to speak. This procedure could be refined and iterated once again, by making additional cuts in inventory and further reduction in problems.
Singeo Shingo, the renowned co-founder of the Toyota JIT stem goes as far as to say ‘Inventory is Evil’. While there is a bit of exaggeration in this motto, it is not outlandish either. In essence, by hiding chronic problems in the production system, inventory contributes greatly to variability. Conversely then, by reducing inventory by application of JIT systems, the variability and associated costs and encumbrances are greatly reduced.
Reducing variability is only one benefit of JIT systems. JITs have the potential to benefit several areas of a company’s operations. Starting from the layout of the office/plant environment to optimizing scheduling of the production process, the scope of JIT is quite broad indeed.
Works Cited:
Chapter 16 – Just In Time and Lean Production Systems, Inventory, p.494+
Menberu, Lulu, J.T.Black, Just In Time Production and Process Time Variability, Published in 1987 by IEEE Computer Society Press. ISBN:0-8186-0766-1