Engineering English
1 Supply Chain /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/ Tedarik zinciri
The connected network of organizations, people, activities, and resources that moves raw materials, components, and finished products from the original source to the end customer.
Industrial Engineering Terms in English
Industrial Engineering English covers vocabulary for optimizing systems and processes — lean production, ergonomics, scheduling, logistics and operations research. This free glossary lists the 60 most frequently used of the 407 Industrial Engineering terms in the Engineering English iOS app — each with IPA pronunciation and a working definition. In the app, every term also includes example sentences, translations in 21 languages, flashcards and AI conversation practice.
Lean and quality methodologies spread worldwide through English-language training and audits, and most ERP and planning software ships in English. Industrial engineers use this vocabulary to run improvement projects with international plants and suppliers.
Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How terms are selected and ranked · 🇹🇷 Türkçesi
Quick answer: The 10 most frequently used Industrial Engineering terms in English are Supply Chain, Logistics, SKU, ERP, Gross-to-net Explosion, Item Master, Muda, Pull System, Overproduction, Defects Waste. The full Engineering English library contains 407 Industrial Engineering terms with pronunciation, example sentences, translations and flashcards.
The 60 most-used Industrial Engineering terms, ranked by frequency
2 Logistics /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/ Lojistik
The planning, execution, and control of the movement and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption.
3 SKU /skjuː/ SKU
A stockkeeping unit (SKU) is a unique identifier for each distinct product and packaging variant in inventory. It enables precise tracking of stock levels and movements.
4 ERP /iːɑːrpiː/ ERP (Kurumsal Kaynak Planlama)
Enterprise Resource Planning is an integrated suite of software modules that manages core business processes such as finance, supply chain, and human resources using a central database.
5 Gross-to-net Explosion /ɡroʊs tu nɛt ɪkˈsploʊʒən/ Brüt net patlatma
Gross-to-net explosion is the MRP process of converting gross requirements into net requirements by subtracting on-hand inventory and scheduled receipts. It determines the quantities and timing of planned orders needed to meet production schedules.
6 Item Master /ˈaɪtəm ˈmæstər/ Malzeme ana kaydı
An item master is a central database record containing all permanent data for a specific part or product, such as description, unit of measure, lead time, and cost. It is the foundation for MRP, purchasing, and inventory management.
7 Muda /ˈmuːdɑː/ Muda
Muda is a Japanese term for waste in lean manufacturing, referring to any activity that consumes resources but adds no value. The seven classic mudas are defects, overproduction, waiting, non-utilized talent, transportation, inventory, motion, and excess processing.
8 Pull System /pʊl ˈsɪstəm/ Çekme Sistemi
A pull system is a lean production method where items are produced only as they are needed by the next process. It is driven by customer demand rather than forecast.
9 Overproduction /ˌoʊvərprəˈdʌkʃən/ Aşırı üretim
Overproduction is the waste of producing more than customer demand or before it is needed. It ties up resources, increases inventory, and hides other problems in the production system.
10 Defects Waste /ˈdiːfɛkts weɪst/ Kusur israfı
Defects waste consists of products or services that do not meet quality specifications and therefore require rework, repair, or scrap. It consumes materials, labor, and time without delivering value.
11 Work Center /wɜːrk ˈsentər/ İş Merkezi
A work center is a specific production area or group of machines where a particular set of operations are performed. It is the basic unit for capacity and scheduling analysis in manufacturing planning and control systems.
12 Work Order /wɜːrk ˈɔːrdər/ İş emri
A work order is an authorized document that specifies the tasks, materials, and instructions required to produce a specific quantity of a product. It initiates production activities and tracks progress through the shop floor.
13 DMAIC /dəˈmeɪɪk/ DMAIC
DMAIC is a structured five-phase problem-solving methodology used in Six Sigma to improve processes, with phases Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.
14 Mean /miːn/ Ortalama
The arithmetic average of a set of data points, calculated by summing all values and dividing by the number of values. It serves as a measure of central tendency in statistical process control.
15 Defect /ˈdiːfɛkt/ Kusur
A deviation of a product or service from a specified requirement or customer expectation. In six sigma, defects are counted to calculate DPMO and process yield.
16 Enterprise Resource Planning /ˈɛntərpraɪz rɪˈzɔːrs ˈplænɪŋ/ Kurumsal Kaynak Planlaması
Enterprise Resource Planning is an integrated management system that consolidates all business processes across an organization into a single software platform. It helps streamline data flow and improve decision-making in areas such as procurement, production, distribution, and finance.
17 Forklift /ˈfɔːrklɪft/ Forklift
A forklift is a powered industrial truck used to lift and move loads over short distances. It is equipped with two metal forks that slide under pallets or other heavy items for lifting and transport.
18 Receiving /rɪˈsiːvɪŋ/ Alım
Receiving is the process of accepting incoming shipments, verifying quantities and quality, and recording inventory into the warehouse management system. It is the first step in warehouse operations.
19 Stock Keeping Unit /stɒk ˈkiːpɪŋ ˈjuːnɪt/ Stok Tutma Birimi
A stock keeping unit is a unique identifier assigned to each distinct product and its variants for inventory tracking. It enables precise control of stock levels and order fulfillment.
20 Normal Time /ˈnɔːrməl taɪm/ Normal süre
Normal time is the time required by a qualified worker to complete a task under standard conditions at a standard pace, after adjusting for performance rating. It excludes allowances for rest, delays, or personal needs.
21 Production Planning /prəˈdʌkʃən ˈplænɪŋ/ Üretim planlama
The process of deciding what products to manufacture, in what quantities, and when, so that resources such as labor, machines, and materials are used efficiently to meet demand.
22 Bill of Materials /bɪl əv məˈtɪəriəlz/ Malzeme listesi
A structured list of all raw materials, components, and subassemblies, with their quantities, required to manufacture one unit of a finished product.
23 Inventory Management /ˈɪnvəntɔːri ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ Stok yönetimi
The practice of controlling the ordering, storage, and use of materials and products so that stock levels meet demand at the lowest possible total cost.
24 Lead Time /liːd taɪm/ Tedarik süresi
The total elapsed time between placing an order or releasing a job and receiving the finished goods or completed work, including processing, waiting, and transport.
25 Cycle Time /ˈsaɪkəl taɪm/ Çevrim süresi
The time required to complete one repetition of an operation or to produce one unit at a workstation, measured from the start of one cycle to the start of the next.
26 Bottleneck /ˈbɒtəlnɛk/ Darboğaz
The resource or operation with the lowest capacity in a process, which limits the output of the whole system and causes queues of waiting work.
27 Scheduling /ˈskɛdʒuːlɪŋ/ Çizelgeleme
The assignment of jobs, operations, or tasks to resources over specific time periods, deciding the order and timing of work to meet due dates and use capacity well.
28 Lean Manufacturing /ˈliːn ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ/ Yalın Üretim
A production philosophy that systematically eliminates non-value-adding activities from processes to deliver products faster, at lower cost, and with higher quality. It originated from the Toyota Production System and focuses on maximizing customer value with minimal resources.
29 Continuous Improvement /kənˈtɪnjuəs ɪmˈpruːvmənt/ Sürekli İyileştirme
An ongoing organizational effort to incrementally improve products, services, and processes over time rather than through one-time projects. It relies on repeated cycles of planning, executing, checking results, and acting on lessons learned.
30 Procurement /prəˈkjʊəmənt/ Satın alma
The business process of identifying requirements, selecting suppliers, negotiating terms, and acquiring the goods and services an organization needs for its operations.
31 Ergonomics /ˌɜːɡəˈnɒmɪks/ Ergonomi
The scientific discipline that designs tools, tasks, and workplaces to fit the physical and cognitive capabilities of the people who use them. Its goal is to reduce injury risk while improving comfort, safety, and performance.
32 Key Performance Indicator /kiː pəˈfɔːməns ˈɪndɪkeɪtə/ Anahtar performans göstergesi
A small number of carefully chosen measures that show whether an organisation or process is achieving its most important objectives. Each one has a defined formula, data source, target value, and review frequency.
33 Standard Operating Procedure /ˈstændəd ˈɒpəreɪtɪŋ prəˈsiːdʒə/ Standart işletme prosedürü
A written, approved instruction that describes exactly how a defined task must be carried out, including sequence, settings, safety precautions, and required records. It ensures that different people perform the same activity consistently.
34 ABC Analysis /eɪ biː siː əˈnæləsɪs/ ABC analizi
ABC analysis is an inventory categorization method that classifies items based on their value and usage frequency. It helps prioritize management efforts on high-value items (A) over lower-value ones (C).
35 Dependent Demand /dɪˈpɛndənt dɪˈmænd/ Bağımlı talep
Dependent demand refers to the demand for a component that is derived from the demand for a finished product. It is calculated using the bill of materials.
36 Net Requirements /nɛt rɪˈkwaɪərmənts/ Net ihtiyaçlar
Net requirements in MRP is the quantity of an item that must be procured or produced after accounting for on-hand inventory, scheduled receipts, and safety stock. It drives the creation of planned orders.
37 Inventory Accuracy /ˈɪnvəntɔːri ˈækjərəsi/ Envanter doğruluğu
Inventory accuracy is the degree to which physical inventory matches the records in the system. High accuracy is critical for effective MRP and material planning.
38 MRP II /ɛmɑːrpiː tuː/ MRP II (Üretim Kaynak Planlaması)
Manufacturing Resource Planning is an integrated methodology that extends material requirements planning to include capacity planning, shop floor control, and financial interfaces.
39 Available to Promise /əˈveɪləbəl tuː ˈprɒmɪs/ Taahhüt edilebilir stok
Available to promise is the uncommitted inventory balance that can be promised to a customer order, calculated from the master production schedule and existing commitments.
40 FIFO /faɪfoʊ/ FIFO (İlk Giren İlk Çıkar)
First-In, First-Out is an inventory valuation method that assumes the oldest stock is used or sold first, and remaining inventory is valued at the most recent acquisition costs.
41 Inventory Carrying Cost /ˈɪnvəntɔːri ˈkæriɪŋ kɒst/ Envanter taşıma maliyeti
The total cost of holding and storing inventory over a specific period. It includes capital costs, storage costs, insurance, taxes, and obsolescence.
42 Order Picking /ˈɔːrdər ˈpɪkɪŋ/ Sipariş toplama
The process of retrieving items from storage locations to fulfill customer orders. It is a core warehouse activity that directly affects order accuracy and shipment speed.
43 Gross Requirement /ɡroʊs rɪˈkwaɪərmənt/ Brüt gereksinim
Gross requirement is the total demand for an item in a given time period, including independent and dependent demand, without considering current stock or scheduled receipts.
44 Service Level /ˈsɜːrvɪs ˈlɛvəl/ Hizmet düzeyi
Service level is a performance metric that measures the probability of not stocking out during a replenishment cycle, often expressed as a percentage.
45 Scheduled Receipt /ˈʃɛdjuːld rɪˈsiːt/ Planlanmış teslim alma
A scheduled receipt is an open order quantity that is expected to arrive at a specific date in the future. It is already in the procurement or production pipeline and reduces the net requirement when due.
46 Lot-for-lot /lɒt fɔːr lɒt/ Parti parti
Lot-for-lot is a lot sizing technique used in MRP where the order quantity is exactly the net requirement for each period. It minimizes inventory carrying cost but may increase ordering frequency.
47 Rough Cut Capacity Planning /rʌf kʌt kəˈpæsɪti ˈplænɪŋ/ Kaba kapasite planlaması
Rough cut capacity planning is a high-level process that checks the feasibility of a master production schedule against available capacity of key resources. It helps identify potential overloads or underloads before detailed scheduling.
48 Perpetual Inventory System /pərˈpɛtʃuəl ˈɪnvəntɔri ˈsɪstəm/ Sürekli envanter sistemi
A perpetual inventory system continuously updates inventory records in real time after each transaction such as receipt, sale, or adjustment. It provides accurate on-hand balances without requiring a physical count.
49 SMED /ɛs ɛm iː diː/ SMED
Single-Minute Exchange of Die is a methodology to reduce setup or changeover time to less than ten minutes. It aims to make changeovers quick and efficient.
50 Jidoka /dʒiˈdoʊkə/ Jidoka
Jidoka is a lean principle that empowers machines and operators to detect abnormal conditions and stop immediately. It prevents defects from passing downstream.
51 5 Whys /faɪv waɪz/ 5 Neden
5 Whys is a root cause analysis technique that involves asking 'why' five times to trace a problem to its fundamental cause. It is simple yet effective for problem solving.
52 PDCA /piː diː siː eɪ/ PDCA
PDCA is a repetitive four-stage model for continuous improvement of processes and products. It involves planning a change, executing it, checking the results, and acting on what was learned.
53 One-Piece Flow /wʌn piːs fləʊ/ Tek Parça Akışı
One-piece flow is a lean manufacturing method where products move through the production process one unit at a time. This reduces work-in-process inventory and lead time.
54 Hoshin Kanri /hoʊʃɪn kɑːnri/ Hoshin Kanri (Politika Yayılımı)
Hoshin Kanri is a strategic planning and deployment process used to align an organization's goals with its daily operations. It ensures that long-term objectives are translated into actionable plans at every level.
55 Visual Management /vɪʒuəl mænɪdʒmənt/ Görsel yönetim
Visual management is a lean practice that uses visual cues such as signs, color codes, and boards to communicate information quickly. It makes the status of processes, standards, and abnormalities immediately apparent to everyone.
56 Total Quality Management /ˈtoʊtəl ˈkwɒlɪti ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ Toplam kalite yönetimi
A management approach that focuses on long-term success through customer satisfaction by integrating all members of an organization in continuous improvement of quality. It involves systematic practices and tools to prevent defects.
57 Transportation Waste /ˌtrænspɔːrˈteɪʃən weɪst/ Taşıma israfı
Transportation waste is the unnecessary movement of materials, products, or information between processes. It adds cost and time without adding value, and increases the risk of damage or delay.
58 Motion Waste /ˈmoʊʃən weɪst/ Hareket israfı
Motion waste refers to unnecessary physical movements by workers that do not add value to the product. This includes walking, reaching, bending, and searching for tools or parts.
59 Waiting Waste /ˈweɪtɪŋ weɪst/ Bekleme israfı
Waiting waste is idle time when operators, machines, or materials are not being used productively. It often results from unbalanced lines, late deliveries, or poor scheduling.
60 Preventive Maintenance /prɪvɛntɪv meɪntɪnəns/ Önleyici bakım
Preventive maintenance is a systematic schedule of routine inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and part replacements performed on equipment to prevent unexpected breakdowns and extend asset life.
Industrial Engineering terms — frequently asked questions
What are the most common Industrial Engineering terms in English?
The 10 most frequently used Industrial Engineering terms in the Engineering English library are Supply Chain, Logistics, SKU, ERP, Gross-to-net Explosion, Item Master, Muda, Pull System, Overproduction, Defects Waste. This page lists the top 60 of 407 terms, ranked by usage frequency.
How many Industrial Engineering terms are in the Engineering English app?
407. Each one includes an IPA pronunciation, a plain-English definition, a real example sentence and translations in 21 languages; the 60 most frequent are free to browse on this page.
How do you pronounce Industrial Engineering terms in English?
Every term on this page shows its IPA transcription — for example Supply Chain is pronounced /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/, Logistics is /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/ and SKU is /skjuː/. The Engineering English app also plays audio for each term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
347 more Industrial Engineering terms in the app
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