在制品库存是指处在由一种状态转换为另一种状态过程中的库存。在制品库存是不能卖给消费者的，因为它们尚未完成加工。例如，50把椅子已经完成喷漆，但是需要2个小时油漆才能干，那么这50把椅子便是在制品库存。
如果在上游发现了问题，或者如果我们停止生产产品，由于在制品库存，报废率会更高。
If something wrong is found upstream, or if we stop building the product, the scrap will be higher due to the in-process inventory.
它还可以帮助管理人员削减在制品的临时库存，进而减少总的库存-当然今天最重要的是，增加增产负债表中的现金流。
It also may allow managers to reduce WIP buffers, which in turn reduces overall inventory and-most important these days-frees up cash on the balance sheet.
看板的目的是通过确保只有当下游工序需要时上游工序才生产零部件，进而最大限度地减少工序(process)之间的在制品(Work - In - process, WIP)或者库存。
Kanban's aim is to minimize WIP (Work-In-Process), or inventory, between processes by making sure that the upstream process produces parts only if its downstream process needs it.
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