Just-in-time (JIT)
A production-system term for making and delivering what is needed, when needed, and in the amount needed. It does not determine a plan for a particular business.
Operations glossary
Just-in-time describes making and delivering what is needed, when it is needed, in the amount needed.
This definition explains Just-in-Time (JIT) alongside pull systems and continuous flow. It does not choose inventory levels, forecasts, orders, schedules, suppliers, production plans, or delivery actions.
Just-in-time (JIT) is a production-system term. The Lean Enterprise Institute describes it as making and delivering what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed. The term can help identify a production context; it does not determine demand, inventory, timing, capacity, supplier performance, cost, quality, or a business decision. Read the Lean Enterprise Institute definition.
Three related terms
The terms are related, but they do not prescribe one operation.
JIT may be discussed with pull systems, continuous flow, and takt time. Those terms point to related production concepts without selecting a production plan, inventory policy, supplier arrangement, or operating response.
Pull system
An operating element named by the Lean Enterprise Institute in its JIT definition. The term does not choose what to order, make, move, or replenish.
Continuous flow
A related production concept in the Lean Enterprise Institute’s glossary. The phrase does not validate capacity, timing, inventory, quality, or a process outcome.
Why context matters
JIT names an approach. It does not choose the next operational step.
The important distinction
A glossary defines an approach. It does not operate the system.
The Lean Enterprise Institute names pull systems, takt time, and continuous flow as JIT operating elements. The terminology can clarify a conversation, but it cannot determine a forecast, order quantity, inventory level, production schedule, delivery timing, or action for a particular business.
Operating context varies
A production concept does not establish a result.
JIT discussions can touch production, procurement, materials, inventory, delivery, quality, capacity, and supplier coordination. The label alone does not establish whether an approach is appropriate, feasible, compliant, safe, cost-effective, or successful in a specific situation.
A source note
Common language helps a team name a production question.
The Lean Enterprise Institute’s definition explains JIT as a production-system term and points to related operating elements. A glossary can clarify that vocabulary; it does not decide how an organization should plan, purchase, produce, store, or deliver.
Keep the term and the operating decision separate.
The Lean Enterprise Institute describes JIT in the context of making and delivering what is needed, when needed, and in the amount needed. Its explanation gives the term a defined production-system context; it does not design, calculate, assess, validate, implement, or optimize an operation.
Glossary boundary: This page does not choose or assess a production, procurement, inventory, supplier, delivery, or scheduling decision.
What this glossary does not decide
This educational definition does not determine demand, forecast, inventory level, order quantity, reorder point, production plan, schedule, purchase, shipment, capacity, lead time, availability, cost, profit, price, supplier or co-packer suitability, retailer acceptance, quality, food safety, regulatory status, or launch readiness; create, manage, validate, or assess any inventory, order, forecast, schedule, supplier, plan, record, product, package, or process; recommend or select a system, method, supplier, co-packer, inventory policy, production approach, timing, quantity, route, action, or handling step; or provide lean, manufacturing, inventory, production, procurement, logistics, legal, regulatory, food-safety, accounting, tax, financial, or operational advice.
Source note
References for this definition
This source supports the terminology on this page. It is not a substitute for a business’s own qualified reviewers, records, partners, or applicable authorities.
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