WGU C215 Operations Management – Chapters 4 & 7 Study
Guide: Just-In-Time (JIT), Lean Systems & Waste Reduction |
Complete Rationales Graded A+ Latest Updated 2026
Describe the core elements of the Just In Time system
JIT manufacturing, TQM, respect for people
What is the JIT philosophy?
Developed in Japan by Motorola, it is also termed "lean" production and it is designed to
eliminate waste. Simplicity, Broad view of the organization, kaizen, visibility - all ways is visible,
flexibility
What are the benefits of the Just In Time system?
Waste in all forms is avoided, employees are empowered
What is the relationship between Just In Time and lean systems?
They involve quality improvement, partnering with suppliers, streamlining the facility layout and
production, and obtaining and producing supplies just at the right moment to avoid waste
How does Just In Time manufacturing work? (What are the key elements)?
JIT manufacturing, TQM, respect for people -- all work together to decrease waste and increase
efficiency
Just In Time JIT philosophy
getting the right quantity of goods at the right place at the right time
Waste
Anything that does not add value
What are the defining beliefs of Just In Time philosophy?
It's a broad view of operations with simplicity, continuous improvement, visibility, and flexibility
What are the categories for types of waste
material, energy, time, space
What is kaizen
never-ending improvement
, how do you define flexibility in terms of organizational strategy?
a great variety of product choices
What are the three elements of the JIT system?
JIT manufacturing, TQM, respect for people
What is setup cost?
the cost incurred when setting up equipment for a product run
What is the belief of "quality at the source"
it is best to uncover the source of quality issues to eliminate it
What is the "respect for people" theory
An element of JIT that considers Human Resources as an essential part of JIT philosophy.
What is a push system?
Traditional manufacturing that believes it is better to anticipate future productive requirements
and plan for them, producing goods in advance and storing it
What is a pull system
Part of JIT philosophy which decreases the inventory on hand and if the products aren't
requested, they're not produced.
Describe push and pull systems in terms of a bbq
You think 20 friends are coming to the bbq. You put 20 hot dogs on the grill and 10 people show
up -- push. Pull is seeing how many people arrive and putting the hot dogs on as they walk in
the door to avoid waste.
Kanban card
A card that signals, in manufacturing, when something needs to be replaced or moved.
Production card
A kanban card that specifies what quantity of a product needs to be produced
Withdrawal card
a kanban card that authorizes withdrawal of material
Small-lot production
Guide: Just-In-Time (JIT), Lean Systems & Waste Reduction |
Complete Rationales Graded A+ Latest Updated 2026
Describe the core elements of the Just In Time system
JIT manufacturing, TQM, respect for people
What is the JIT philosophy?
Developed in Japan by Motorola, it is also termed "lean" production and it is designed to
eliminate waste. Simplicity, Broad view of the organization, kaizen, visibility - all ways is visible,
flexibility
What are the benefits of the Just In Time system?
Waste in all forms is avoided, employees are empowered
What is the relationship between Just In Time and lean systems?
They involve quality improvement, partnering with suppliers, streamlining the facility layout and
production, and obtaining and producing supplies just at the right moment to avoid waste
How does Just In Time manufacturing work? (What are the key elements)?
JIT manufacturing, TQM, respect for people -- all work together to decrease waste and increase
efficiency
Just In Time JIT philosophy
getting the right quantity of goods at the right place at the right time
Waste
Anything that does not add value
What are the defining beliefs of Just In Time philosophy?
It's a broad view of operations with simplicity, continuous improvement, visibility, and flexibility
What are the categories for types of waste
material, energy, time, space
What is kaizen
never-ending improvement
, how do you define flexibility in terms of organizational strategy?
a great variety of product choices
What are the three elements of the JIT system?
JIT manufacturing, TQM, respect for people
What is setup cost?
the cost incurred when setting up equipment for a product run
What is the belief of "quality at the source"
it is best to uncover the source of quality issues to eliminate it
What is the "respect for people" theory
An element of JIT that considers Human Resources as an essential part of JIT philosophy.
What is a push system?
Traditional manufacturing that believes it is better to anticipate future productive requirements
and plan for them, producing goods in advance and storing it
What is a pull system
Part of JIT philosophy which decreases the inventory on hand and if the products aren't
requested, they're not produced.
Describe push and pull systems in terms of a bbq
You think 20 friends are coming to the bbq. You put 20 hot dogs on the grill and 10 people show
up -- push. Pull is seeing how many people arrive and putting the hot dogs on as they walk in
the door to avoid waste.
Kanban card
A card that signals, in manufacturing, when something needs to be replaced or moved.
Production card
A kanban card that specifies what quantity of a product needs to be produced
Withdrawal card
a kanban card that authorizes withdrawal of material
Small-lot production
