ABSTRACT
Throughput is the amount of work that can be performed or the amount of output that can be produced by a system in a given period of time. To illustrate these concepts, employees were presented with two different 8 h schedules. Each schedule was composed of parts that had actually run over the previous 2 weeks. On one schedule were the favored jobs, consuming 90 h of machine time and requiring five setups. This schedule was the Shoot and Ship Team. On another schedule were the bad jobs, consuming 83 h of machine time and requiring 12 setups. This schedule was the Rapid & Responsive. When employees were asked which team they wanted to be on, the majority preferred the S&S Team. Many companies focus on eliminating the complexity created by many materials, complicated processes, and varying run sizes because of the systems and controls required to manage the diversity.
