C-VARWIP

Production control systems can be classified as pull and push systems (Spearman et al. 1990 [Spearman, M., Woodruff, D. and Hopp, W. (1990) CONWIP: a pull alternative to kanban. International Journal of Production Research 28, 879-894] ). In a push system, the production order is scheduled, froma demand forecast, and the material is pushed into the production line. In a pull system no part is allowed to enter the start of each product assembly process without demand from the process that consumes its outputs. Thus production is triggered by pull from the end of production line.

There currently exist three basic topologies for pull production control system, namely KANBAN, CONWIP (Constant Work In Process) or single cell KANBAN, and Base Stock [Eric G.A. Gaury,Jack P.C. Kleijnen,Henri Pierreval. Customized Pull Systems for Single-Product Flow Lines, ( [http://netec.mcc.ac.uk/WoPEc/data/Papers//dgrkubcen1998117.html Downloadable from website] )] but these have not taken into account the circular nature of systems (Vildosola 2002 [Vildosola, L., (2002) C-VARWIP: circular-variable work in process. Research Papers in Economics ( [http://129.3.20.41/eps/mac/papers/0203/0203004.pdf Downloadable from website] )] ).

Circular - VARiable Work in Process (C-VARWIP)Fact|date=July 2007 is the synthesis to both Push (first generation) and Pull (second generation) production control systems when the system is taken as unitary, when whole-system analysis is performed.

Of primary relevance to systems engineering is the problem of telos or purpose, C-VARWIP gives purpose to observed behavior in push production control systems as well as pull production control systems.

ee also

* CONWIP
* Just In Time (business)
* kanban
* Material Requirements Planning

References