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Pull Production: What It Is, and How It Differs from Push
Pull production makes things only when the next step actually needs them, with demand signalled back up the line, usually by kanban. Nothing is built on speculation. It’s the opposite of a push system, which makes to a forecast and hopes the demand shows up.
Why is pull production important?
Pull production matters because making only what the next step actually needs keeps inventory and work in progress low and stops overproduction, the worst of the lean wastes. Tying work to real demand exposes problems quickly and shortens lead time. It is the mechanism that makes just-in-time and lean production possible.
How does a pull system work?
Pull turns real consumption into the trigger for work:
- The customer, or the next process, takes what it needs.
- That withdrawal sends a signal, a kanban, back upstream.
- The upstream step makes only enough to replace what was taken.
- Work in progress stays low, because nothing runs ahead of demand.
How does pull differ from push?
What triggers the work. A push system makes to a forecast and pushes output downstream whether it’s needed or not, which piles up work in progress. Pull makes only to real demand, which keeps inventory low and problems visible. Push bets on the forecast; pull responds to what actually happened. Pull underpins just-in-time.
Pull vs push at a glance
Made to demand versus made to forecast.
| Aspect | Pull | Push |
|---|---|---|
| Triggered by | Real demand | A forecast |
| Signal | Kanban from downstream | A schedule from planning |
| Inventory | Low | Builds up |
| Risk | Little overproduction | Overproduction, obsolescence |
Related Terms
- FIFO – orders the pull flow.
- Batch Production
- Batch Size 1
