Customer Reviews

Introduction to the Theory of Constraints (TOC) Management System (The CRC Press Series on Constraints Management)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not sure what Tom was trying to accomplish with this book. It tries to be a history, a handbook, a textbook, and chicken soup for the TOC soul, all at the same time; and fails at each. At times self-serving, at others pointless, I still have no idea what Tom's GOAL was except to extract 25 bucks from my pocket. Aside from a brief bout with lucidity in the "Columbo" gag in chapter six, there is nothing worthwhile here. You can get the same thing from "The Goal" and "It's not Luck" and enjoy the ride a whole lot more. C-,

Tom McMullen's book fills an important, previously vacant niche in the body of knowledge on constraint theory. It's an excellent broad-brush picture of the systemic spread and implications of constraint theory. Nobody else has quite captured the potential scope of constraint theory as a management system in any other books that I've read. Most of the other works in the public body of knowledge are specialized or tightly focused. Tom ties the disparate facets of constraint theory together. It's the first time I know of that anybody's ever publicly characterized TOC as a "management system," but the shoe fits. An excellent foundation for further exploration.

I bought based in some good reviews at Amazon.com but is worthless, the author doesn't give new ideas but a compilation of Goldratt books. It seems more like an unorganized class notebook than a good worth reading.

This is a practical review of the TOC, but it is written in 100 word sections each with a header which breaks up any hope of a logical flow.

It explains how to orgainise your business (buy it for that) but gives you no idea of WHERE you should want to end up before you start. There is no recognition of the customer, there is total focus on the process.

I would seek out a copy in the library and check that this against my requirements, then buy a copy if it suits - it is great at what it is, a summary of the TOC approach - but as a business development tool, it's more of a loss.

Thanks Tom. You scored a home-run with this one.

To the potential reader, BUY IT, READ IT and DO IT! If you don't get promoted from your success you can put it your resume and start shopping. TOC implementation and thinking can lead to a brighter future for your company and for you personnaly.

Tom McMullen's book serves a valuable purpose in helping TOC practitioners delve through the wealth of information available to date, and to give them a roadmap for further study. Tom covers the various facets of TOC at an introductory level using some entertaining examples. But he also covers the history of TOC, who has used it, and where it is going. His coverage of who has used TOC is a nice summary for someone who wants additional information. His how to get started is a great systems "cookbook", bringing in all resources available to change agents. He brings all this information to the reader in a fun way, that makes it as easy to read as the Goldratt novels.

T. Mc Mullen has taken the issue of the "Theory of Constraints" to the another level in covering this most important subject. He has provided both the neophyte, the curious and the expert with a text that not only entertains the reader, but also provides the insight that takes the mystery and subjectivity away from this subject (i.e., TOC). This book fills some the voids and bridges the gap between Dr. Goldratt's wonderful business novels (e.g., "The Goal," "It's Not Luck," and "Critical Chain." For the those who frequently travel on business, it is a one of those great "late night in the hotel/on your lap airplane" books. If you liked Dr. Goldratt's "novels," this book fits well and is a natural follow-on.

Although the title would lead one to believe this was an introduction to T.O.C., it would be difficult for anyone to follow who had not already done extensive reading on the Theory of Constraints. I believe it would be more appropriate to refer to this book as an overview of T.O.C. and some of its applications.

It seemed as though the content was somewhat choppy, without any real flow of the material, although the material it presented was of high quality. Still, the flow was difficult to follow, and the frequent reference to diagrams which were located many pages earlier made referring to the diagrams difficult. Figures are easier to follow if they are on the same page, or at least within one page of the text which describes them.

I was very impressed however with the concept of using a character from the movie Mission Impossible, and the scenes within that movie to illustrate some of the tools of T.O.C. While this was somewhat difficult to follow at times, I believe it would be an excellent tool to use in a classroom environment, while teaching the principles of T.O.C. to students.

Although Eli Goldratt's Theory of Constraints saw its initial applications in manufacturing, it now finds application in many other domains ---service industries, project management, general problem solving. It enhances communication and often clarifies the logic of daily life. Many practitioners first learn of it through word of mouth, but up to now, the limited literature has constrained its more rapid dissemination. Tom McMullen succeeds in elevating that constraint by providing us with a compact, readable introduction that does more than titillate---it provides both a solid body of knowledge and pearls based on experience. For those just discovering The Goal, this book should be the next step in their Odyssey. For inveterate TOC preachers, this could be a hymnal. For everyone in between, it's a fun read and an even better gift. Give to to your boss to take on his next business trip.

This is both a good and a fun read on the breadth of TOC and how it touches several aspects of management systems. Starting from ground zero it brings the reader through the basics of the thinking process (no small feat) and then leads them through the latest developments in TOC project management and education. I particularly enjoyed the Chapter 6 on Getting Started with TOC since that was my intent in buying the book in the first place.

It is not a book for the experienced TCO practictioner. In many ways the book just gets really going on a topic when the lesson has to end. But for me (a beginner) it was a great way to start. The author even gives suggestions on what to read next, I've followed his suggestions and have been pleased with both Dettmer's and Stein's TOC offerings.

The writing style is fun, at times airy, and the footnotes are a blast. I'm sure the humor is not for everyone but I found myself chuckling out loud in several sections, rather embarassin! g on an airplane. If you need a serious tone to your business books this is not the right book for you. Then again, maybe its just what you need.