Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
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.
Dependent Demand — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what dependent demand is in manufacturing, how it differs from independent demand, a worked example with numbers, and why it drives MRP calculations.
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) is, the EOQ formula with a worked example, when to use EOQ in manufacturing, and how it relates to MRP lot sizing.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is, how ERP systems work in manufacturing, a practical example, and why ERP needs dedicated scheduling software.
Firm Planned Order — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what a firm planned order is in MRP, how it locks orders against automatic replanning, a practical example, and why planners use firm planned orders to stabilize schedules.
Flow Production: Continuous Movement Through Manufacturing
Learn what flow production means in manufacturing — a production strategy where products move continuously through operations with minimal waiting or batching.
Gemba: Go to Where the Work Happens
Learn what Gemba means in lean manufacturing — the practice of going to the shop floor to observe processes firsthand and identify improvement opportunities.
Gross Requirements — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what gross requirements are in MRP, how they are calculated from BOM explosion, a worked example with numbers, and the difference between gross and net requirements.
Heijunka: Production Leveling for Smoother Scheduling
Learn what Heijunka means in lean manufacturing — the production leveling technique that smooths volume and mix to reduce waste and improve flow.
Independent Demand — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what independent demand is, how it differs from dependent demand, a practical example, and why understanding demand types is essential for MRP and scheduling.
Jidoka: Automation with a Human Touch
Learn what Jidoka means in lean manufacturing — the principle of building quality into the process by stopping production when defects are detected.
Just-in-Time (JIT): Produce Only What Is Needed
Learn what Just-in-Time manufacturing means — a production strategy that minimizes inventory by producing only what is needed, when needed, in the quantity needed.