US Patent 7072731 Starvation avoidance lot start agent (SALSA)

A system and method are provided for monitoring work in process (“WIP”) in a manufacturing facility. The system and method utilize software objects to identify a bottleneck workstation and calculate a WIP value representing the amount of work approaching the bottleneck workstation. If it is determined that the WIP value for a bottleneck workstation is projected to fall below a control limit during the evaluation period, an additional amount of work is released into the manufacturing line. In this manner, new work is introduced to a bottleneck station in order to prevent bottleneck starvation. Various embodiments provide for multiple products and multiple bottleneck workstations.