Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
Everything we have published.
Manufacturing Scheduling Software RFP Template (2026)
Free RFP template for manufacturing scheduling software. Includes evaluation criteria, vendor questions, scoring matrix, and section-by-section writing guide.
5S: The Foundation of Lean Workplace Organization
Learn what 5S is in lean manufacturing - Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain - and how it reduces waste and improves scheduling efficiency.
Andon: Real-Time Visual Alerts for the Shop Floor
Learn what Andon means in lean manufacturing - a visual signaling system that alerts teams to problems instantly, reducing downtime and improving quality.
Available-to-Promise (ATP) - Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Available-to-Promise (ATP) is, how ATP calculations work, a step-by-step example with numbers, and why ATP helps manufacturers commit accurate delivery dates.
Batch Production: Benefits, Drawbacks, and When It Makes Sense
Learn what batch production means in manufacturing - producing goods in groups or lots, and how it compares to flow production and one-piece flow approaches.
Bill of Materials (BOM) - Manufacturing Glossary
A short, precise definition of a Bill of Materials (BOM): what a BOM line holds, how MRP explodes it, and why BOM accuracy decides whether a schedule is executable.
Capable-to-Promise (CTP) - Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Capable-to-Promise (CTP) is, how CTP goes beyond ATP by checking capacity and materials, a practical example, and why CTP improves delivery date accuracy.
Cellular Manufacturing: Organizing Machines for Flow
Learn what cellular manufacturing means - a lean production layout that groups machines into cells to process product families with minimal waste and shorter lead times.
Closed-Loop MRP - Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Closed-Loop MRP is, how it adds feedback to material planning, a practical example, and why closed-loop systems improve scheduling accuracy.
Continuous Improvement: The Engine of Lean Manufacturing
Learn what continuous improvement means in manufacturing - an ongoing effort to improve products, processes, and services through incremental and breakthrough changes.
Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP) - Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP) is, how CRP validates MRP output against real capacity, a worked example, and why CRP prevents overloaded schedules.
Demand-Driven MRP (DDMRP) - Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Demand-Driven MRP (DDMRP) is, how it differs from traditional MRP with strategic buffers, a practical example, and why DDMRP reduces the bullwhip effect.