Explain the concept of subsystem coupling and de coupling using just in time and conventional store/stock control systems as example? When in a single facility of production the subsystem is coupled it means the speed of operation of the entire system is constrained by the slowest workstation. The entire system is hence coupled. This concept is an integral part of inventory management and hence is used in inventory management techniques like JIT or Just in time and also other conventional stock control systems. In JIT each subpart functions as a whole and the constraint of one workstation becomes the limiting factor for the entire chain of activities. The coupled system works for activities where the subparts are indispensable and sequential and hence the functioning depends on the completion of other. On the other hand, the concept of decoupling allows the workstations to operate at maximum of it efficiency and minimized cycle time. The workstations are constrained by the slowest operating subsystem. This is an idle working chain of events as each works at it maximum efficiency. The decoupling of workstations in just in time and also conventional stock control system leads to better more optimized inventory management as inventory carrying costs also decreases with the work in progress inventory. Subsystems where sequence is not necessary works better for decoupling of subsystems.