How do you use heijunka or production leveling to balance demand and capacity in PDCA and jidoka systems?
Heijunka, or production leveling, is a lean tool that helps you smooth out the flow of work and reduce waste, variation, and overproduction. It is based on the idea of producing what the customer needs, when they need it, and in the right quantity and quality. In this article, you will learn how to use heijunka to balance demand and capacity in two other lean tools: PDCA and jidoka. PDCA stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act, a cycle of continuous improvement that helps you solve problems and implement changes. Jidoka means automation with a human touch, a concept that enables machines and workers to detect and stop defects and errors.