Throughout the industrialized world in most manufacturing enterprises, the changes in operations can be categorized into numerous segments: new methods; innovative concepts; advanced processing systems; and control technologies, along with constant changes in products and packages that find their way into the daily operating schedules. Regardless of the category, these factors always seem to acquire a variety of identification names for application that might not adequately define the functions as initially intended.
From an operations perspective, “just in time” is and might still be an idea with suppliers to deliver materials just in time for use to avoid inventory damage and other obstacles that delay production. “Continuous improvement” came along as an approach for being aware that all things can constantly be improved throughout the operation. There are more examples, but these establish the point. Discussions with users of these ideas found that even though the line was followed, there were many deviations, and the intended results were not always obtained. Why? Research into the concept or idea indicated that basic principles were not fully understood by personnel involved in the application.