CPIM Practice Exam

In the context of DBR, what do buffers primarily support?

1. Only throughput performance

2. Only due date performance

3. Throughput and due date performance

4. Fluctuations in inventory levels

The correct answer is: Throughput and due date performance

In the context of Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR), buffers serve a crucial role in supporting both throughput performance and due date performance. The primary purpose of buffers in a DBR system is to ensure that the scheduled production can continue smoothly by protecting the critical constraints in a manufacturing process. These buffers are strategically placed before constraint resources to ensure that work-in-progress materials are available when needed, thus maximizing the throughput of the entire system. Additionally, buffers also help maintain due date performance by mitigating the impact of variability in processing times and other disruptions. By having inventory in place, the system can absorb delays at various points in the production cycle, which helps in meeting customer delivery dates consistently. This dual function of facilitating throughput while also protecting delivery dates underlines the importance of buffers in effectively managing production flow in environments where variability is high. As such, they are integral to achieving a balanced approach to both the efficiency of production and customer satisfaction in terms of timely delivery.