H. William Dettmer goes beyond the theory of constraints introduced by Eliyahu M. Goldratt in his best-selling books The Goal and It's Not Luck by describing the action steps that follow the theory. Loaded with application examples, these unique problem-solving tools will teach you how to analyze and arrive at a variety of solutions. Much of the content focuses on the author's understanding and interpretation of Goldratt's logical thinking processes. it clarifies the five focusing steps and teaches the mechanics of all the thinking tools.

The basic principle of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) is the impossibility of running a balanced factory at 100 percent capacity. Variation in processing and material transfer times is the root cause of longer cycle times and higher inventories, which can hinder the ability to run a factory at full capacity. In Beyond the Theory of Constraints, William Levinson challenges this basic principle by stating that variation in processing and material transfer times comes from special or assignable causes that can be eliminated through traditional quality management techniques. Even random or common-cause variation can be suppressed through lean manufacturing methods. This compelling book: Gives a complete overview of the Theory of Constraints and its impact on engineering and managerial economics Illustrates the effect of variation in processing and material transfer times, and shows why this variation prevents achievement of 100 percent utilization Describes methods for reducing variation in processing and material transfer times Discusses methods for increasing productivity and reducing cycle times - these are useful for elevating the constraint (increasing its capacity) and reduce variation This book will teach business executives, managers, and technical professionals, including quality and manufacturing engineers, how to identify and remove variations and maximize capacity to achieve bottom-line results.

Alex Rogo is a harried plant manager working ever more desperately to try and improve performance. His factory is rapidly heading for disaster. So is his marriage. He has ninety days to save his plant - or it will be closed by corporate HQ, with hundreds of job losses. It takes a chance meeting with a colleague from student days - Jonah - to help him break out of conventional ways of thinking to see what needs to be done. Described by Fortune as a 'guru to industry' and by Businessweek as a 'genius', Eliyahu M. Goldratt was an internationally recognized leader in the development of new business management concepts and systems. This 20th anniversary edition includes a series of detailed case study interviews by David Whitford, Editor at Large, Fortune Small Business, which explore how organizations around the world have been transformed by Eli Goldratt's ideas. The story of Alex's fight to save his plant contains a serious message for all managers in industry and explains the ideas which underline the Theory of Constraints (TOC) developed by Eli Goldratt. Written in a fast-paced thriller style, The Goal is the gripping novel which is transforming management thinking throughout the Western world. It is a book to recommend to your friends in industry - even to your bosses - but not to your competitors!

This book was written to assist professionals and students to become proactive in their own education, improve thinking, resolve personal and interpersonal conflicts, improve pedagogy, manage departmental affairs and guide administrative decisions. The text captures the practical experience of the authors with and formal training in TOC to address many of the issues facing today’s education stakeholders. The text is designed to teach methods for 1) "win-win" conflict resolution, 2) decision-making, 3) problem solving, and 4) analysis of systems using TOC’s powerful logic-based graphical Thinking Process tools. A creative thinker can identify, plan and achieve his or her goals just knowing the Thinking Process Tools.

Eli Goldratt is known by millions of readers worldwide as a scientist, educator and business guru. His Theory of Constraints (TOC) is taught at business schools and MBA programs around the globe. Government agencies and businesses, large and small, have adopted his methodologies. TOC has been successfully applied in almost every area of human endeavor, from industry to healthcare to education. And while Eli Goldratt is indeed a scientist, an educator and a business leader, he is first and foremost a philosopher; some say a genius. He is a thinker who provokes others to do the same. In The Choice, Goldratt once again presents his thought-provoking approach, this time through a conversation with his daughter, Efrat, as they discuss his fundamental system of beliefs. Through examples and discussions, Eli Goldratt helps us understand, holistically, how the interrelation of emotions, intuition and logic influences our ability to think clearly and problem solve when making personal and professional decisions. Can every conflict be removed? Is every situation exceedingly simple? (no matter how complex it initially looks) Can every situation be substantially improved? Is there always a win-win solution? Dr. Goldratt exhorts his readers to examine and reassess their lives and business practices by cultivating a different perspective and a clear new vision. This revised edition includes Efrat's Notes - these notes and logical maps are helpful tools that assist in visualizing and implementing the thoughts and ideas expressed throughout this book.

An incredible ability awaits managers who practice Theory of Constraints (TOC) techniques: they can take a problem, look beyond the less important details, and directly identify the source of trouble. They've been known to promptly resolve perplexing matters - while the uninformed remain stuck.So many more managers could gain the benefit of TOC thi

This book is written in the attempt to deal with two major questions: what are the thinking processes that enable people to invent simple solutions to seemingly complicated situations? and, the question of how to use the psychological aspects to assist rather impair, the implementation of those solutions in a mode of an ongoing process.

Innovative strategies for building and managing the supply chain using Lean and the Theory of Constraints (TOC) With an emphasis on systems thinking, Building Lean Supply Chains with the Theory of Constraints uniquely integrates TOC with Lean, illustrating how these two philosophies complement and reinforce each other to create the smooth flow of goods and services through the supply chain. The majority of the chapters draw on the tools and techniques of TOC, including throughput accounting, drum-buffer-rope, TOC in distribution and replenishment, the thinking process, and critical chain project management. All of these topics are presented in the context of building and managing a lean supply chain to achieve true bottom line results. Coverage includes: The lean supply chain roadmap Envisioning the lean supply chain: systems thinking Adopting a throughput world perspective Designing products and processes to fulfill customer needs Building a competitive operations strategy Partnering in the lean supply chain Streamlining the value stream Creating flow through the supply chain Managing projects the TOC way: critical chain project management

“There is no doubt that this is a truly original and groundbreaking work in applying the Theory of Constraints. I run a services company and learned some things about the services business. Anyone involved in large services companies needs to look at what John is proposing. I will definitely quote this material frequently.” Chad Smith, Managing Partner, Constraints Management Group “The information presented in this book is badly needed by service providers who struggle to balance supply and demand with their resources.” Carol A. Ptak, CFPIM, CIRM “The techniques that John brings to light in this book are the bridge from the vision of Dr. Goldratt’s work to the successful implementation in a range of services firms.” From the Foreword by Erik Bush, Vice President, IBM Global Services Discover the powerful Theory of Constraints (TOC), and use it to drive continuous performance improvement in any services organization Identify the hidden constraints that are limiting your organization, and manage or eliminate them Use TOC to improve the way you manage resources, projects, processes, finance, marketing, and sales Determine whether your organization faces an internal or external constraint, manage that constraint accordingly, and anticipate where the next constraint will arise Release latent capacity shrouded by common business practices Simplify processes that have grown unmanageably complex Optimize your enterprise as a whole rather than suboptimizing individual business units Get buy-in to fundamental changes in strategy, tactics, and operations Managing services is extremely challenging, and traditional “industrial” management techniques are no longer adequate. In Reaching the Goal, Dr. John Arthur Ricketts presents a breakthrough management approach that embraces what makes services different: their diversity, complexity, and unique distribution methods. Ricketts draws on Eli Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints (TOC), one of this generation’s most successful management methodologies...thoroughly adapting it to the needs of today’s professional, scientific, and technical services businesses. He reveals how to identify the surprising constraints that limit your organization’s performance, execute more effectively within those constraints, and then loosen or even eliminate them. This book’s relentlessly practical techniques reflect several years of advanced IBM research and consulting with enterprise clients. Step-by-step, Ricketts shows how to apply them throughout your most crucial business functions...from project management to finance, process improvement to sales and marketing. Whatever your role in improving service delivery, processes, or profitability, this book gives you the tools to reach your goals...and go beyond them Identify, manage, and overcome your key constraints Five steps to uncovering and addressing the real obstacles to improved performance Optimize core business functions, one step at a time Improve the way you manage resources, projects, processes, finance, and marketing Implement TOC rapidly and effectively Get buy-in, deploy infrastructure, and provide the right IT support?

There are, today, many good books on the Theory of Constraints, or "TOC". These books, however, generally focus on explaining the details of TOC. But subject matter knowledge alone is not enough, if you want to actually use TOC in business. You must also have a valid roadmap for implementing it. This book provides it. Throughout the book, you have the concrete and actionable voice of a successful TOC consultant leading you to understand how to implement TOC in a manufacturing organization. The book also provides examples of various charts, forms and procedures that you can use as patterns for the materials you will need in your implementations.