Abstract Paper aims This article aims to evaluate the impact of Lean Production (LP) practices implementation on the supply chain of a public hospital. Originality Most implementations fall short of their goals because they are done in a fragmented way and not from a system-wide perspective. Our approach allows to anticipate errors of misguided LP implementations in healthcare organizations. Research method The implementation of a set of LP practices in the hospital`s supply chain was assessed by computational simulation modelling, focusing on one of the most financially important product families. Main findings Since the simulation model considers the variability of suppliers and customers as inputs, it allows the verification of the proposed inventory policies effectiveness, in order to avoid affecting the service level. Implications for theory and practice The proposition of a method that integrates value stream mapping into computational simulation modelling brings a differentiated approach to analyze lean implementation in a healthcare supply chain. The simulation model supports a more assertive decision-making process on lean implementation, allowing the organization to ensure that the quality and efficiency of healthcare is not affected.

A maior parte da literatura a respeito de Planejamento e Controle da Produção (PCP) é focada em estudar e desenvolver aplicativos para grandes empresas, principalmente de ambiente repetitivo. Nesse contexto, são as poucas as alternativas para o PCP para pequenas e médias empresas que fabricam sob encomenda, as quais têm papel fundamental na atual economia brasileira. Em resposta a essa demanda, o presente trabalho objetiva apresentar uma abordagem para o PCP denominada Controle de Carga (Workload Control - WLC). Essa abordagem é reconhecidamente um método com potencial para trazer melhorias no lead time, no estoque em processo e na pontualidade de entregas em ambientes que fabricam sob encomenda (Make-To-Order - MTO). Primeiramente, o artigo apresenta a abordagem WLC, revisando e discutindo os principais assuntos tratados pela literatura internacional na área. Após isso, o desempenho do WLC é avaliado por meio de simulação. Os resultados mostram o potencial de melhorias no lead time e nas ordens em atraso que o WLC pode trazer a pequenas e médias empresas que fabricam sob encomenda. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho pretende contribuir tanto para a teoria a respeito de tal abordagem, praticamente introduzindo tal assunto na literatura brasileira, como para a prática, fornecendo e demonstrando, por meio de simulação, aos gerentes de PCP, uma alternativa para suas empresas trabalharem rumo a baixos lead times e de acordo com modernos paradigmas de produção, tais como o Lean Manufacturing e o Quick Response Manufacturing.

The majority of Production Planning and Control (PPC) literature is focused on the study and development of solutions for large companies, especially in repetitive environments. Therefore, there are few specific PPC solutions available in the literature for small and medium sized companies (SMC) operating in a Make -to-Order (MTO) environment. This paper presents the Workload Control (WLC), which is a useful PPC approach designed for small sized Make-to-Order companies. According to the literature, such approach has the potential to reduce lead time, work in process, and to provide a better tardiness performance in MTO companies. Firstly, the paper presents the WLC approach reviewing and discussing the main WLC aspects addressed in the literature. The objective is to introduce the concept and present the recent developments to fellow researchers and practitioners. The performance of WLC is then assessed by simulation. The results underline the potential of WLC to bring major improvements in terms of lead time and tardiness performance supporting small and medium sized MTO companies. Therefore, this study aims at contributing to PPC academic and practical areas by introducing WLC approach concepts to Brazilian researchers and managers showing its benefits and potential to help national companies in their efforts towards lead time reduction and best tardiness performance according to modern manufacturing paradigms such as Lean Manufacturing and Quick Response Manufacturing.