What does just-in-time inventory aim to achieve in lean systems?

• A. Just-in-time inventory aims to minimize inventory and reduce waste by receiving goods only as needed.
• B. Just-in-time means keeping large safety stocks.
• C. Just-in-time is a method of rapid product development.
• D. Just-in-time is a marketing strategy to time product launches.

Answer: (B)

Just-in-time inventory aims to minimize inventory and waste by receiving goods only as they are needed in the production process. This keeps materials flowing with the actual demand, reduces carrying costs, and lowers the risk of excess or obsolete stock piling up. The goal is to synchronize supply with production so items arrive exactly when required, not before. Keeping large safety stocks would defeat this purpose by increasing inventory and waste. Rapid product development and marketing timing fall outside this operational focus on inventory control in lean systems.