What term describes the practice of a downstream process going to the upstream process to retrieve product?

What term describes the practice of a downstream process going to the upstream process to retrieve product?

• A. Just in Time
• B. Push System
• C. Pull System
• D. Visual Factory

Answer: (C)

Pull system is the practice where a downstream process requests or retrieves product from upstream only as it's needed, rather than upstream pushing items downstream on a fixed schedule. In this approach, the downstream step signals the upstream step (often via a Kanban signal or similar) to produce or move the item, so inventory and work-in-process are pulled through the system by actual demand. This reduces waste from overproduction and excess inventory and helps synchronize production with actual consumption. It contrasts with a push system, where upstream production is driven by forecasts and pushes items forward regardless of immediate downstream need. The described scenario—downstream pulling from upstream by going upstream to retrieve product—is a classic example of a pull system. Just-in-time embodies this pull philosophy, delivering items exactly when needed, while Visual Factory focuses on making status and flow visible rather than the pull mechanism itself.

Pull system is the practice where a downstream process requests or retrieves product from upstream only as it's needed, rather than upstream pushing items downstream on a fixed schedule. In this approach, the downstream step signals the upstream step (often via a Kanban signal or similar) to produce or move the item, so inventory and work-in-process are pulled through the system by actual demand. This reduces waste from overproduction and excess inventory and helps synchronize production with actual consumption. It contrasts with a push system, where upstream production is driven by forecasts and pushes items forward regardless of immediate downstream need. The described scenario—downstream pulling from upstream by going upstream to retrieve product—is a classic example of a pull system. Just-in-time embodies this pull philosophy, delivering items exactly when needed, while Visual Factory focuses on making status and flow visible rather than the pull mechanism itself.