Which concept is described by monitoring input and output to detect discrepancies from plan?

• A. Input/output control (I/O)
• B. Jidoka
• C. Infinite loading
• D. Intrinsic forecast method

Answer: (A)

Monitoring input and output against the plan is a description of Input/Output control on the shop floor. The idea is to measure what is fed into the system (materials, capacity) and what comes out (completed work, shipments) and compare those results to the schedule. When a gap appears, the system signals variances so you can take timely corrective actions—expediting materials, rescheduling operations, or reallocating capacity—to keep the plan on track. This approach gives direct visibility into plan adherence and helps manage throughput, inventory, and WIP. It contrasts with Jidoka, which focuses on stopping the line to prevent defects, while the other concepts relate to loading strategies or forecasting methods rather than monitoring plan conformance.