LeanFlow

Just-in-TimeJIT

Producing and delivering exactly what is needed, when it is needed, in the amount needed.

Just-in-Time (JIT) aims to produce and move only what the next process needs, exactly when it needs it, in the exact quantity. It is one of the two pillars of the Toyota Production System (with jidoka).

JIT depends on three enablers: a pull system (usually kanban), level production (heijunka), and continuous flow. Done well, it slashes inventory and lead time; done without stable processes, it is fragile.

Go Deeper
Push vs Pull guide→Lean Manufacturing guide→
Related Terms
Pull System
Production triggered by actual downstream consumption rather than forecasts — work is pulled by demand.
Kanban
A visual signaling system that triggers production or replenishment based on actual consumption rather than forecasts.
Heijunka
Leveling the volume and mix of production over time to reduce unevenness and enable smooth flow.
Continuous Flow
Producing and moving one unit at a time through a sequence of steps with no stops or batches between them.
Jidoka
"Automation with a human touch" — machines detect abnormalities and stop automatically to prevent defects.

Put Just-in-Time into practice

SymplProcess turns these concepts into working models, calculators, and templates your whole team can use — no spreadsheets required.

Open the App → Try the Process Modeler
← Browse all glossary terms