Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
Visual Management: Making Production Status Visible at a Glance
Learn what visual management means in lean manufacturing — using visual signals to communicate production status, standards, and problems instantly on the shop floor.
Waste Elimination: The Core Objective of Lean Manufacturing
Learn what waste elimination means in manufacturing — the systematic process of identifying and removing non-value-added activities to improve flow and reduce cost.
Work-in-Progress (WIP): The Hidden Cost on Your Shop Floor
Learn what work-in-progress means in manufacturing — the inventory of partially completed items on the shop floor, and why controlling WIP improves scheduling.
Work Order — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what a work order is in manufacturing, how work orders flow from MRP to the shop floor, a practical example, and why work order management is critical for scheduling.
Yield — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what yield means in manufacturing, how yield rates affect MRP planning and order quantities, a worked example, and why tracking yield improves scheduling accuracy.