A push system is a production system that relies on forecasts and schedules to plan the production and distribution of goods and services. A pull system is a production system that responds to actual customer demand and signals to trigger the production and distribution of goods and services. A transition from a push system to a pull system requires a change in the mindset and the processes of the organization, as well as the adoption of new tools and techniques to enable a demand-driven production system12.
One of the tools that is commonly used in a pull system is kanban, which is a visual signal that indicates the need for replenishment of materials or products. Kanban cards are attached to standardized containers that hold a fixed amount of inventory. When a container is empty, the kanban card is sent back to the upstream process as a signal to produce more. This way, the inventory level is controlled by the actual consumption of the downstream process, and the production is synchronized with the demand13.
One of the actions that hinders the transition from a push system to a pull system is using work orders as a backup. Work orders are documents that authorize the production of a certain quantity of a product or a service, based on a forecast or a schedule. Work orders are typical of a push system, as they are not triggered by the actual customer demand, but by the planned production. Using work orders as a backup means that the organization is not fully committed to the pull system, and still relies on the push system to ensure the availability of inventory. This can create confusion, inconsistency, and inefficiency in the production system, as well as increase the inventory holding costs and the risk of obsolescence1 .
Therefore, using work orders as a backup is the correct answer, as it is an action that hinders the transition from a push system to a pull system. The other options are actions that support the transition, as they are aligned with the principles and practices of a pull system.
