Principle
Replenish from a real downstream signal
A busy supplier can still create an idle mountain.
Before you use it
- Use when
- One step keeps producing output that the next step cannot yet use.
- Avoid when
- Some work has long lead times or required reserves. Pull does not mean refusing all advance preparation or keeping no buffer.
An idea to explore.
Try this idea.
Inspect the example, try the idea in your situation, then check your next move.
Why it matters
Agree what the next step needs, how much, and when it can accept it. Use that request and its available capacity to authorize new work; upstream free time alone is not a demand signal.
An example
A reviewer has two free slots but needs no new draft this week. Spare capacity alone does not authorize the writing team to create two more.
Check your result
Can you identify the signal that justifies producing this next item now?
Keep this limit in mind
- Some work has long lead times or required reserves. Pull does not mean refusing all advance preparation or keeping no buffer.
My learning
Read. Recall. Repeat.
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Connected ideas
Useful withMake queue overtaking an explicit exception
These ideas link to this one. Check their conditions and limits before use.
Useful with this ideaCould a steadier release reduce artificial workload spikes?
Evidence and sources (1)
Pull production authorizes upstream replenishment in response to downstream need rather than producing solely to keep a resource busy.
Claim basis: professional_convention. Claim limit: The office example is an adaptation; demand, capacity and buffer design still matter. Source access: selected_html_passages; accessed on: 2026-09-17; inspected sections: ["Definition and replenishment signal"]. Agent scope review, 2026-10-11: LEI pull-production definition supports downstream need as the authorization signal. The office example and available-capacity check are an explicit adaptation; buffers remain possible.
Pull Production · Definition
All sources (1)
Edition and review
Version 0.1.0 · Published
Agent review: Agent editorial and scoped evidence review · 2026-10-11