Control Practices of Lean Manufacturing


Control practices help us to control and coordinate the different activities. It involves information, control systems, and communication techniques necessary to coordinate the different activities.

Just On Time Production

The first control practice is Just On Time Production. We will discuss why level scheduling (Heijunka) and production leveling are important and ways to accomplish each. We will discuss flow, pull, standard work, and takt time as a basis for going toward continuous flow. We will explore how small lot production leads to one piece flow and why that is valuable. We will look at seven different techniques to enforce and enable level/mixed production. We will compare and explore the trade-offs between segmented production and mixed production.

Production Control Systems

The second control practice is Production Control Systems. We will look at the concepts in order-based production, especially as the are affected by seasonal demands and speedy delivery concerns. We will discuss how to get ready for kanban and the rules of kanban. We will look at the ten different types of kanban and where each might be most appropriate. We will compare and contrast the kanban methods with the theory of constraints methods. We will look at the impact of new production control systems on material requirements planning (MRP), economic order quantity (EOC), and reorder point (ROP) activities.


At ViewPoint & Understanding Enhancement we work closely with you to determine where you are today in applying these practices. We also help you define your best path forward, given your current circumstances.


Return to Practices of Lean Manufacturing

Return to Home Page