The debate rages on, and companies are finding themselves caught in the crossfire between the internet pundits who volley back and forth about the optimal approach to moving material through the value stream. The list of options is long: push systems, pull systems, vendor-managed inventory, consignment, and the task of selecting the best approach can be daunting, especially when one considers the multitude of variants on each of these basic themes. In this session, Darin Wolding will identify some of the most commonly neglected design considerations that can lead to a catastrophic failure of the material flow plan when not properly addressed. This presentation will cut through the fog of confusion by presenting a mathematical approach to determining the best solution, and ensuring alignment across all departments with a clear understanding of which levers must be pulled to achieve the desired outcome. Presented at the 2019 ASCM Conference--Las Vegas, Nevada.