
Just-in-Time Production ◾ 107
Fewer Peaks and Valleys
Small lots and small consistent pulling means we require less adjustment. We
can do our work evenly without the peaks and valleys that can strain our
people, machines, and suppliers. Halving our lot size, for example, means we
can halve our parts WIP, thus smoothing the burden for our suppliers.
Abnormality Control
Taiichi Ohno likens manufacturing to the cattle drives of his favorite west-
erns.
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Cattle drives involve a small number of cowboys moving thousands
of animals hundreds of miles. Under normal conditions the cowboys do
little but follow the herd. But if the herd starts to stray off ...