Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
What is Process Manufacturing? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Process manufacturing definition: production using formulas or recipes where ingredients are mixed, blended, or chemically transformed. Learn how it works.
What is Procurement? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Procurement definition: the process of sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing raw materials, components, and services from external suppliers. Learn how it works.
What is a Production Line? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Production line definition: a sequential arrangement of workstations where products move through a fixed series of operations. Learn how production lines work.
What is a Production Order? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Production order definition: a formal instruction to manufacture a specific quantity of a product by a given date. Learn how production orders drive scheduling.
What is Quality Assurance? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Learn what quality assurance (QA) means in manufacturing, how it differs from quality control, and why QA matters for scheduling.
What is Queue Time? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Queue time definition: the time a job spends waiting at a work center before processing begins. Learn how queue time works in manufacturing with examples.
What is an R-Chart? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Learn what an R-chart (range chart) is in manufacturing SPC, how it monitors process variability, and why it matters for scheduling.
What are Raw Materials? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Learn what raw materials are in manufacturing inventory, how they differ from WIP and finished goods, and why material management matters.
What is Reorder Point? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Learn what reorder point is in inventory management, how to calculate it for manufacturing, and why ROP matters for scheduling and supply.
What is Resource Leveling? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Resource leveling definition: adjusting the schedule to distribute work evenly across resources and time periods. Learn how resource leveling works in manufacturing with examples.
What is Rework? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Rework definition: the process of correcting defective products to bring them into conformance with specifications. Learn how rework impacts manufacturing costs.
What is Root Cause Analysis? Definition & Manufacturing Examples
Learn what root cause analysis (RCA) is in manufacturing, how 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams work, and why RCA matters for scheduling.