What is Expediting?

Expediting involves assigning an expediter to a specific high-priority job, who then walks it through the entire production process, shifting other jobs out of the way to make room for the designated job. This approach is used when a high-priority customer demands that its goods be completed as soon as possible.

Advantages of Expediting

In general, there is no room for expediting in an environment where the constraint is being properly managed, since expediting jumbles the flow of jobs into the constraint. However, there can be a tightly-defined use for expediters when certain jobs are likely to be delivered late. In these situations, an expediter closely monitors the progress of each late job and works with the scheduler and production staff to make sure that delays are minimized. The expediter is not allowed to override existing production priorities; he can only represent the interests of the customer in ensuring that additional delays are minimized.

Disadvantages of Expediting

Expediting can destroy the efficiency of a production area and also delay other customer orders, since the bulk of all orders are given a lower priority and must also contend with the removal of assigned materials in favor of higher-priority jobs.