Module 8 · Lesson 5 of 29

Principle 3: pull prevents overproduction

Learning objectives

Explain the purpose of principle 3: pull prevents overproduction in garment operations.
Describe when and how to apply principle 3: pull prevents overproduction on the shop floor.
Identify common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Produce/replenish what the next process needs, in the quantity and time needed.

Define customer, signal, container, WIP rule and exception. Local utilization is not more important than system flow.

Release cut work based on sewing/finishing consumption and order priority rather than keeping every department busy.

Pick one answer per question. Explanations appear after you submit.

1. Which statement best captures the core idea of Principle 3: pull prevents overproduction?
- Produce/replenish what the next process needs, in the quantity and time needed.
- It is a purely financial control unrelated to shop-floor work.
- It replaces the need for standardized work and training.
- It applies only to fully automated factories.
2. A common mistake when applying principle 3: pull prevents overproduction is to:
- Applying the tool without observing actual garment-floor conditions.
- Involve operators and validate with data.
- Link the tool to the observed problem and follow-up plan.
- Update the standard after a confirmed improvement.

Author: Sanjeewa Dehiwalage · Last reviewed: 2026-07-21