Lean Supply Chain Management Essentials

234 appendIx 3: Lean IMpLeMentatIon MethodoLogy

FIFO and Flow Creation

Where possible, we’d like to try to get one-piece flow implemented within the value

stream. One-piece flow requires fairly uniform work content between all the various

items being made by the value stream, high uptime and reliability on the equipment,

and short setup times, or at least setup times that can fit within takt. Where one-

piece flow is not possible, we typically find that FIFO flow is a very effective way to

keep product moving through the value stream. is often requires some extensive

work with both the schedulers and the shop floor personnel, but almost always results

in significantly less work-in-process (WIP) inventory and a much simpler approach

to the scheduli