One of the key lean tools is implementing kanban which uses the pull system. Lean is all about moving away from the traditional push system toward the pull system. In a lean enterprise, it is always recommended not to push parts or information to the next process step. The focus is to pull parts when the downstream process step requests for parts/information.
Some Lean practitioners rave about the pull systems they have implemented. However experienced Lean practitioners don't give much credit to pull systems. This is because...
1. Lean is all about removing waste.
2. When waste cannot be removed, there is inventory in process or at the final stage. This inventory needs to be managed in the best way possible. In such situations, a pull system is used.
Implementing the pull system is an indication that waste is still present. This is a good starting point for reducing waste but it is definitely the final goal. The Lean implementation team should not stop at implementing the pull system. In fact the team should continuously work toward removing waste altogether and not use the pull system.
As rightly said by Jeffery Liker in the book Toyota Way "Flow where you can, pull where you must". The ultimate goal to make value flow as smoothly as possible.
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