Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

What does variability reduction in JIT aim to achieve?

1. Increase production phases

2. Eliminate excess stock

3. Standardize outputs to minimize inconsistency

4. Increase cycle time

The correct answer is: Standardize outputs to minimize inconsistency

Variability reduction in Just-In-Time (JIT) practices focuses on standardizing outputs to minimize inconsistencies in the production process. The aim is to create a more predictable and efficient workflow, where each step in the production process operates smoothly and outputs meet predefined quality standards. By reducing variability, organizations can achieve a more stable and reliable production schedule, respond to customer demands more effectively, and optimize inventory levels. Standardizing processes helps in identifying deviations and addressing them promptly, thus ensuring that the products produced are consistent in quality and delivery times. This aspect of JIT is crucial since variability can lead to inefficiencies, increased lead times, and ultimately, customer dissatisfaction. Therefore, reducing variability is essential to achieving the leaner and more responsive supply chain that JIT seeks to establish. The other options do not align with the primary goal of variability reduction within JIT. For instance, increasing production phases would likely introduce more complexity rather than reducing variability. Eliminating excess stock, although important in JIT, specifically relates to inventory management rather than focusing on variability itself. Increasing cycle time contradicts the JIT principle of quick production and responsiveness, making it an unsuitable goal within this context.