Question 1

a) Define JIT and Lean Manufacturing and contrast the

similarities and differences between the two. Discuss

why the 'Traditional approach' is more intuitive and

what approaches are needed to move toward a JIT

scenario?

b) Critically appraise five of the nine Just in Time (JIT)

techniques e.g. reduction of set up time, TPM etc.

highlighting what they are and how they would be

implemented

c) Describe a tool or technique which can be used to

analyse and improve the performance of

manufacturing systems e.g. Rank-order clustering,

Ishikawa diagrams, Value Stream Mapping Root

cause analysis, Pareto Analysis etc. Explain the basic

principle behind the technique, how it would be

applied and the potential benefits/inhibitors to

implementation.