Final answer:
In lean operations, it's important to move work from one center to another to minimize idle time, but not necessarily immediately. Work should be moved in accordance with the system's 'pull' to avoid overproduction and waste. The overall goal is to maximize efficiency and reduce waste in alignment with lean management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is concerned with the principles of lean operations management. Lean management focuses on eliminating waste within a system and improving the flow of work. In a lean operation, it is important to minimize idle time and ensure that the work flows smoothly from one work center to another.
However, this does not necessarily mean that work should be moved immediately to the next work center without considering the overall system flow. Lean principles advocate for a 'pull' system where work is moved only when the next step in the process is ready to receive it. This helps to avoid overproduction and excess inventory, which are forms of waste.
In the historical context of optimizing work processes, measures were taken to maximize efficiency and speed up production, such as timing movements and reducing communication between workers. While these methods aimed to mechanize the work environment and create uniformity in production, they also led to worker discontent.
By applying the example of a car factory, we can see that the movement of work—from adding the car body, to installing doors, attaching wheels, and finally putting in the steering wheel—is done in a sequence. Each workstation adds to the car only when the conveyor belt brings the next part needing assembly. This sequential movement maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste, aligning with lean operation practices.