In Lean, which tool is commonly used to signal replenishment?

In Lean, which tool is commonly used to signal replenishment?

• A. 5S
• B. Kanban
• C. EOQ
• D. XYZ analysis

Answer: (B)

In Lean, signaling replenishment is done with Kanban, a pull-based system. A downstream process uses a visual signal—such as a card, container, or electronic cue—to indicate that more material is needed from the upstream process. When the signal is received, production or provisioning is triggered to replenish up to a predefined level. This keeps inventory lean, reduces waste, and ensures that replenishment happens only as needed, driven by actual consumption. 5S, while valuable for workplace organization and efficiency, doesn’t provide a signaling mechanism for replenishment. EOQ is an economic model for determining optimal order size, not a signaling system in a pull production context. XYZ analysis classifies items by demand variability for prioritization, but it doesn’t serve as a replenishment signal.

In Lean, signaling replenishment is done with Kanban, a pull-based system. A downstream process uses a visual signal—such as a card, container, or electronic cue—to indicate that more material is needed from the upstream process. When the signal is received, production or provisioning is triggered to replenish up to a predefined level. This keeps inventory lean, reduces waste, and ensures that replenishment happens only as needed, driven by actual consumption.

5S, while valuable for workplace organization and efficiency, doesn’t provide a signaling mechanism for replenishment. EOQ is an economic model for determining optimal order size, not a signaling system in a pull production context. XYZ analysis classifies items by demand variability for prioritization, but it doesn’t serve as a replenishment signal.