Operation lead time control

Slovenian companies see the reduction of lead times as an opportunity to im prove their competitiveness on the world market. The article proposes an op eration lead time control procedure which should allow for the co-ordinatio n of the tasks of planning, control and inspection of lead times, as well a s provide the required data. The procedure, based on Deming's circle of con tinuous improvements, begins with definition of a target value of lead time and ends with planning and execution of measures for reduction of lead tim e. The article presents the results of a test implementation of the operati on lead time control in a company which produces machines for bakeries and chemical industry. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.