Using V-A-T analysis for determining the priority and location of JIT manufacturing techniques

V-A-T analysis is a procedure which categorizes manufacturing operations based upon the nature of product flow via the structure of the routeings and bill of materials. The letters V, A, and T stand for the shape of the dominant product routeings and bill of material structures within a manufacturing facility. The purpose of this article is to examine the possibility of using V-A-T analysis as an aid in JIT implementation. Contained in this paper is: an examination of the evolution of JIT manufacturing in Japan, and its introduction to the United States; an analysis of the various techniques constituting JIT; implementation issues regarding JIT; and an examination of V-A-T analysis as a tool for JIT implementation.