Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
Net Requirements — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what net requirements are in MRP, the netting formula with a worked example, and why net requirements drive purchase orders and production orders in manufacturing.
One-Piece Flow: The Ideal State of Lean Production
Learn what one-piece flow means in lean manufacturing — producing and moving one unit at a time through each operation to minimize WIP and lead time.
PDCA Cycle: Plan-Do-Check-Act for Manufacturing
Learn what the PDCA cycle means in lean manufacturing — the four-step continuous improvement framework for testing changes and solving production problems.
Pegging — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what pegging is in MRP, how it traces component demand to parent orders, a practical example, and why pegging helps planners make better scheduling decisions.
Planned Order — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what a planned order is in MRP, how planned orders differ from released orders, a step-by-step example, and why planned orders drive manufacturing scheduling.
Planning Horizon — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what a planning horizon is in MRP and production scheduling, how to set the right planning horizon length, a practical example, and why it impacts scheduling accuracy.
Poka-Yoke: Error-Proofing Manufacturing Processes
Learn what Poka-Yoke means in lean manufacturing — mistake-proofing devices and techniques that prevent defects by making errors impossible or immediately obvious.
Pull System: Let Demand Drive Production
Learn what a pull system means in lean manufacturing — a production control method where downstream demand triggers upstream work, preventing overproduction.
Purchase Order — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what a purchase order is in manufacturing, how POs flow from MRP planned orders, a practical example, and why purchase order management impacts production scheduling.
Push System: Forecast-Driven Production Control
Learn what a push system means in manufacturing — a production method where work is scheduled and released based on forecasts rather than actual demand signals.
Regenerative MRP — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what regenerative MRP is, how it differs from net change MRP, when to use full MRP regeneration, a practical example, and the trade-offs of each approach.
Rough-Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP) — Manufacturing Glossary
Learn what Rough-Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP) is, how it validates the master schedule before MRP, a worked example, and the difference between RCCP and CRP.