What is Just In Time (JIT) in Lean Management? Valuable Principles of JIT?

 Management comprises the activities of an organization from setting a goal to achieving that particular goal after assessing all the obstacles and finding a solution for them. It coordinates the efforts of an organization and its employees to obtain its desired objectives within the available resources. Management is a very important asset in any organization that wishes to attain profits and run an organization for a longer period. Management helps in the achievement of goals, optimum utilization of resources, lessens the cost, establishes a sound organization, provides essentials for the prosperity of the organization along with the society, thus, benefiting every aspect of an organization.

What is Just in Time (JIT) in Lean Management?

Management is an enormous word that consists of numerous philosophies and principles related to it. One of the management’s philosophies is the “Just in Time” management philosophy. As the name suggests itself, this management philosophy calls for the production of what the customer wants, when they want it, in the quantities required by the customers, and where they want it, without being hampered in the inventory. Just in Time management is focused on efficiency, whereas, lean management concentrates on using efficiency to add more value to the customers. 

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So rather than manufacturing large stocks of what you think that the consumer may demand, by using JIT, you’ll be able to generate exactly what the customer has asked for whenever they will want it. By using this method, you will be able to concentrate your resources on only fulfilling what you will be paid for, instead of just building large stocks of unnecessary products. With this system, each process will generate the next process that is in sequence demands.

Benefits of JIT

There are five benefits of JIT written down that will help your organization to grow and flourish-

1. Reduction of Inventory Costs

The implementation of JIT aims to majorly reduce the cost of inventory by improving stock turns along with the amount of stock that is being held. JIT enables a reduction of stock up to 90% in some of the organizations and it also provides some other benefits.

2. Smooth Production Flow

This is one of the benefits that the JIT system provides. The JIT system focuses on preventing the fluctuating production rates, the arrival of the production materials from the manufacturers, delivery of final goods to the customers, and many such activities that may result in delays and extra work in the process inventories.

3. Reduction in Storage and Waiting Time

With the help of the JIT system, you will be able to purchase the materials and produce goods only as per the requirement, instead of building huge stocks of products for future use. It relieves the need to make space so that products and materials can behold, resulting in less time wastage. JIT also helps to encourage faster setup of production machinery.

4. Employee Satisfaction and Stronger Relationships

The JIT system facilitates multi-skilled workers, flexible facilities, and a proper atmosphere of teamwork. All these things help to improve the production system which helps the company to maintain a competitive edge in the market. It also promotes various ways to improve the product quality, achieve efficient and effective operations, along with eliminating non-value asses costs. 

5. Maintenance of Equipment

The JIT management transforms the organization as it requires formal abundance to some of the routine management schedules. Important and preventive maintenance of equipment allows an organization to prevent costly downtime from machine breakdowns.

 Now, you must have gotten an idea about what the term “JIT” indicates and what are its major benefits to an organization. Further, let’s take a look at some of the valuable principles of JIT-

1- Total Quality Management

TQM consists of an organization’s wide efforts that aim to install and make a permanent climate that will enable the employees to enhance their proficiency in the demand of products and services that customers want. This management approach focuses on long term success through satisfying customers. In this approach, the members of the organization participate altogether for improving processes, products, cultures, and services as well.

2- Production Management

Production management, which is often called “Operations Management” involves planning and controlling the industrial processes to ensure that those processes run smoothly at the mandatory level. Techniques used under this theory of management are used for service and manufacturing industries as well. It concentrates on providing proper supervision and control of industrial processes related to production. 

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3- Suppliers Management

The term “Suppliers Management” refers to all the business processes and activities that deal with the overall supplier cycle of an organization. The term is not limited to identification, selection, and management of the suitable suppliers, but it also contributes to ensuring that their performance is at maximum value for the organization’s requirements of its third party. Moreover, it also helps to evaluate the performance of suppliers, that if it is up to the requirements of the organization or not.

4- Inventory Management

Inventory management can be defined as a systematic approach that assists in the storage, sourcing, and selling of inventory that contains both raw materials and finished goods. Additionally, it also means producing the right stock, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right cost. It also comprises the aspects such as controlling and overseeing the purchases that are made from suppliers and customers, maintaining the hold of stock, controlling the number of products that will be available for sale, and order fulfillment as well.

5- Human Resource Management

This management approach is a strategic one that effectively manages the people in an organization in a way that it can gain a competitive advantage. This approach is designed to maximize the performance of employees and taking care of all their problems, all while managing the organization as well. It is concerned with managing the people working within the organization while focusing on its policies and systems.

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Conclusion

Thus, hereby it can be concluded that JIT is one of the major pillars of an organization’s lean manufacturing system. For its successful implementation, a firm base needs to be built first. Also, the principles of JIT principles are equally vital for an organization’s survival as it eliminates any obstacles in the process, maximizing productivity, and eliminating the bottlenecks. 

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