The system used for managing and ensuring the flow of production materials in a just-in-time production system is known as:

The system used for managing and ensuring the flow of production materials in a just-in-time production system is known as:

• A. Load Leveling System (Heijunka)
• B. Materials requirements planning (MRP)
• C. Manufacturing Resources planning (MRPII)
• D. A pull system (Kanban)

Answer: (D)

Kanban is the mechanism used to control material flow in a just-in-time system. It is a pull system, meaning production is started only when the downstream process signals that more material is needed. A Kanban signal—often a card or container with information—travels from the next operation back to the previous one to authorize replenishment. This keeps work-in-process to a minimum, reduces waste, and ensures smooth, continuous flow aligned with actual consumption. Load leveling (Heijunka) smooths the production rate but doesn’t manage the signaling of material movement. MRP and MRPII are planning systems that push production based on forecasts and master schedules rather than signaling only what is actually needed. Thus, the system that best fits the description is Kanban.

Kanban is the mechanism used to control material flow in a just-in-time system. It is a pull system, meaning production is started only when the downstream process signals that more material is needed. A Kanban signal—often a card or container with information—travels from the next operation back to the previous one to authorize replenishment. This keeps work-in-process to a minimum, reduces waste, and ensures smooth, continuous flow aligned with actual consumption.

Load leveling (Heijunka) smooths the production rate but doesn’t manage the signaling of material movement. MRP and MRPII are planning systems that push production based on forecasts and master schedules rather than signaling only what is actually needed. Thus, the system that best fits the description is Kanban.