ABSTRACT
Approaches to Production Management The increase in customer demand for wider variety in products and product features requires that manufacturers produce in small lots while still maintaining short delivery schedules and high quality. The old QCD formula is no longer sufficient; diversity in products must be added to quality, cost, and delivery excellence. Manufacturing companies will not survive without the ability to manage wide-variety, small-lot pull production. The ability to deliver greater diversity while keeping costs down requires lean production methods and, in particular, a pull production system.
