How often do you ask yourself in the workplace this question: How can I stop wasting time and start getting the most out of every minute?
There is no longer a need to set deadlines or procrastinate until the very last minute. If this sounds familiar to you, then it's time for you to understand the Just in Time management philosophy.
You know that you're wasting your time and you can't do anything. Or maybe you don't do your task effectively or even accurately. The ability to complete tasks on time and accurately is more important than ever in the workplace.
In fact, the “just in time” management philosophy is widely used by companies to improve decision-making and stay competitive. By using this method, you may assist your company in achieving its full potential.
What is Just in Time management philosophy?
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Just in Time (JIT) is a Japanese management philosophy that has been used in many Japanese manufacturing organisations since the early 1970s, according to Institute for Manufacturing Cambridge. Just in Time management simply means when a business or customers can get products as soon as possible when they are actually needed.
To meet customer needs with the minimum number of delays, Taiichi Ohno first created and developed it within the Toyota manufacturing facilities. He has since that day been referred to as the Father of JIT. Further, Taiichi Ohno also developed Kanban, a scheduling system that is often applied in manufacturing and JIT.
The Kanban system works by monitoring lead and cycle times throughout the manufacturing process, it identifies problem areas and helps establish maximum limits for work-in-process stocks to avoid overcapacity.
Elements of Just in Time
According to the Institute for Manufacturing Cambridge, here are some elements of Just in Time management.
Continuous improvement
- Tackling core issues, or anything that does not improve the product.
- Creating systems to find issues.
- Strive for simplicity; simpler systems may be easier to comprehend, manage, and have a lower failure rate.
- A layout that is focused on the product results in less time spent moving materials and parts.
- Each worker is in charge of the quality of their output, allowing for quality control at the source.
- Poka-yoke - “foolproof” tools, methods, jigs, etc.
- Preventative maintenance, also known as total productive maintenance, ensures that machinery and equipment work flawlessly when needed and are constantly improved.
Eliminating waste
- Waste from overproduction
- Waste of waiting time
- Transportation waste
- Processing waste
- Inventory waste
- Waste of motion
- Waste from product defects
Examples of Just in Time application
Toyota
Toyota can fulfil the high needs of survival by adopting a strategy that values people, plants, and systems.
Toyota realises that JIT would only be successful if every employee in the company was involved and dedicated to it. If the facility and processes were set up for maximum output and efficiency, and if quality and production schedules were scheduled to precisely meet demand.
JIT manufacturing has the potential when correctly adapted to the organisation, to significantly increase the organisation's competitiveness in the market by reducing waste and enhancing product quality and production efficiency.
Apple
Apple, a tech company, has successfully implemented JIT production concepts. Not only did they want to save trash and the costs connected with it, but they also wanted to use less energy.
Why did they succeed? To order products with far shorter preparation times and the assurance that orders would be fulfilled, they developed reliable and trustworthy partnerships with their suppliers.
Apple also started using drop shipping, which eliminates “middlemen” and reduces shipping and storage expenses by sending products straight from the producer to the client.
Stocking merchandise in their retail outlets is one of the factors contributing to Apple's success. Because suppliers agreed to retain stock on hand, Apple was released from this obligation. Then, arrangements for drop shipping online sales.
Benefits of Just in Time
The Just in Time management philosophy has been used to describe how businesses should manage their resources and produce goods and services on time. This approach believes that it is better to have everything convenient, rather than having to wait for something to come in stock.
By using this philosophy, companies can save on manufacturing costs and improve the quality of products. Here are some of the benefits of Just in Time:
- Avoid overproduction
- Reduce waiting times and transport costs
- By optimising your production processes, you can save resources
- Decrease the amount of money you have put in stock
- Eliminate the need for inventory operations
- Lower product defects
Pros and Cons of Just in Time
Pro: The Just in Time management philosophy is the future of work because it allows companies to manage their resources more efficiently.
By using just-in-time methods, companies can save on materials and labour costs. This will have a significant impact on the future of work, as well as the economy as a whole.
Con: The Just in Time management philosophy poses a threat to the future of work because it eliminates opportunities for creativity and innovation.
Eliminating unnecessary steps, limits companies' ability to innovate and change their products and services. This will have a significant impact on the future of work, as well as the economy as a whole.
Just in Time management philosophy in productivity
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The Just in Time management philosophy can be applied to the future of work because it encourages employees to be prepared and reliable in the face of unpredictable and difficult situations.
Besides, when we discuss productivity, we can use Just in Time to do the right thing at the right time. When you’re not in a manufacturing or production sector, how Just in Time can increase your productivity?
Just in Time also highlight the energy you use on the right activities at the right time. Do you relate to this?
Because maybe you are often wasting your time doing the activities at the wrong time when you want to get things done, especially at your work time. Well, you’re not alone.
Productivity, in general, refers to a measure of efficiency production, or how effectively you complete your task, project, or work. Productivity can be calculated as an output when you input the efficiency in a set time.
So how can you be more efficient at work? Focusing on eliminating waste is the main Just in Time concept.
All those tasks that provide no value to the activity you are doing are considered a waste of time. That Eisenhower Matrix may be worthwhile to manage your time and tasks.
Eliminating those activities that don't provide value is then part of being efficient. Simply get organised with a project management tool using VirtualSpace, so you can be more productive at your work.
