When a manufacturing system/entity produces “exactly” (+ or -) what their customers demand it is said to be “in balance”
Note: Takt Time is the measurement most often used to determine if a manufacturing plant is “balanced.”
If a product’s Takt Time is “1 part every 30 seconds” and the manufacturer can only produce “1 part every 40 seconds” then there will be a shortfall and the plant is not “in balance” with it’s customers
Likewise, if a plant produces “1 part every 15 seconds” they are overproducing (see 7 wastes), and are not “in balance” with their customers.