What best defines Just-in-time (JIT)?

• A. A cutting machine for thin materials
• B. A type of 3D CAD software
• C. Delivered when needed so no money is wasted on warehouses to store parts
• D. The process of designing products for mass production

Answer: (C)

Just-in-time focuses on having materials arrive exactly when they are needed in production, so there’s minimal stock held and little or no money tied up in stored parts. This lean approach reduces warehousing space, lowers carrying costs, and improves cash flow because items aren’t bought far in advance or kept idle in storage. It relies on reliable suppliers, tight scheduling, and small, frequent deliveries, so the system pulls parts through production rather than pushing large batches based on forecast. The idea of delivering when needed directly captures that goal of minimizing storage and waste. The other options describe tools or aims that aren’t about inventory timing or storage costs.