What is crucial for achieving Just-in-time manufacturing?

Achieving Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing primarily hinges on effective scheduling of jobs. JIT is a strategy aimed at minimizing inventory levels and reducing waste, ensuring that materials are ordered and produced only as needed in the production process. This requires precise scheduling to align production with demand closely, allowing for a more streamlined workflow and better resource allocation.

By scheduling jobs effectively, manufacturers can ensure that the right materials arrive at the right time, minimizing delays and reducing the necessity for large inventories. This helps to keep production flowing smoothly without overstocking or facing shortages, vital tenets of the JIT approach.

The other aspects mentioned, such as keeping large inventories, reducing labor costs, or minimizing equipment usage, do not align with the core principles of JIT manufacturing, which focuses on efficiency and responsiveness to customer needs rather than on reducing costs through inventory or equipment limitations.