Which term describes the process of triggering movement of material to the next operation only when that operation is ready, thereby eliminating one queue but potentially creating another?

• A. Demand pull
• B. Discrete order picking
• C. Demand management
• D. Demonstrated capacity

Answer: (A)

This describes a pull-based flow of material. In a pull system, work in the next operation is released only when that operation is ready to process it, so you don’t push parts forward into a stage that isn’t prepared. This eliminates the queue in front of the operation because nothing is moved until the downstream signal arrives. Yet, if upstream work isn’t perfectly synchronized with downstream capability, you can end up creating a new queue upstream as parts wait for downstream capacity to clear.

That’s why the term used for this approach is demand pull (often implemented with a Kanban-style signaling system). It contrasts with a push approach, where work is released based on forecast or schedule rather than actual downstream readiness.

The other terms don’t fit this flow concept. Discrete order picking describes a warehouse picking method, not how material moves through manufacturing. Demand management focuses on shaping or influencing demand, not triggering production flow. Demonstrated capacity refers to what capacity is observed or proven to be available, not to the control of material movement between operations.