Tugas Manajemen Operasi : JIT IN SERVICES

            Many JIT techniques have been successfully applied by service firms. Just as in manufacturing, the suitability of each technique and the corresponding work steps depends on the characteristics of the firm’s markets, production and equipment technology, skill sets, and corporate culture.

            Here are 10 of the more successful applications.

Organize Problem Solving Groups

Many corporations are extending their quality circles from manufacturing into their service operations.

Upgrade Housekeeping

Good housekeeping means more than winning the clean broom award. It means that only the necessary items are kept in a work area, that there is a place for everything, and that everything is clean and in a constant state of readiness. Their dedication to housekeeping has meant that service processes work better, the attitude of continuous improvement is easier to develop, and customer perceive that they are receiving better service.

Upgrade Quality

Quality doesn’t mean producing the best; it means consistently producing products and services that give the customers their money’s worth. The only cost-effective way to improve quality is to develop reliable process capabilities. Process quality is quality at the source—it guarantees first-time production of consistent and uniform products and services.

Clarify Process Flows

Clarification of flows, based on JIT themes, can dramatically improve the process performance.

Revise Equipment and Process Technologies

Revising technologies involves evaluation of the equipment and processes for their ability to meet the process requirements, to process consistently within tolerance, and to fit the scale and capacity of the work group.

Level the Facility Load

Service firms synchronize production with demand. They have developed unique approaches to leveling demand so they can avoid making customers wait for service.

Eliminate Unnecessary Activities

A step that does not add value is a candidate for elimination. A step that does add value may be a candidate for reengineering to improve the process consistency or to reduce the time to perform the tasks.

Reorganize Physical Configuration

Introduce Demand-Pull Scheduling    

Due to the nature of service production and consumption, demand-pull (customer-driven) scheduling is necessary for operating a service business.

Develop Supplier Networks

The term supplier networks in the JIT context refers to the cooperative association of suppliers and customers working over the long term for mutual benefit.