Do companies work within their material requirements planning (MRP) systems or do they work around their MRP systems? Do they do both at the same time? This is the MRP conflict that rages inside most modern manufacturers. The push-based tactics of conventional MRP planning do not fit the new pull-based manufacturing approach required to be fast, lean, flexible, and competitive. Despite spending enormous amounts of money, time, and energy on new software packages and new methodologies, such as lean and six sigma, organization leaders still find themselves combating poor inventory performance, poor service levels, high expedite-related expenses, and waste. This presentation will explore why this conflict exists and will describe a uniquely powerful approach to the compromises and ineffectiveness of MRP, lean, and six sigma.