Theory of Constraints Handbook [Hardcover]

James Cox III (Author), John Schleier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0071665544 | ISBN-13: 978-0071665544 | Edition: 1

The definitive guide to the theory of constraints

In this authoritative volume, the world's top Theory of Constraints (TOC) experts reveal how to implement the ground-breaking management and improvement methodology developed by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt. Theory of Constraints Handbook offers an in-depth examination of this revolutionary concept of bringing about global organization performance improvement by focusing on a few leverage points of the system. Clear explanations supplemented by examples and case studies define how the theory works, why it works, what issues are resolved, and what benefits accrue, and demonstrate how TOC can be applied to different industries and situations.

Theory of Constraints Handbook covers:

• Critical Chain Project Management for realizing major improvements in delivering projects on time, to specification, and within budget
• Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR), Buffer Management, and distribution for maximizing throughput and minimizing flow time
• Performance measures for applying Throughput Accounting to improve organizational performance
• Strategy, marketing, and sales techniques designed to increase sales closing rates and Throughput
• Thinking Processes for simple and complex environments
• TOC methods to ensure that services actions support escalating demand for services while retaining financial viability
• Integrating the TOC Thinking Processes, the Strategy and Tactic Tree, TOC measurements, the Five Focusing Steps of TOC, and Six Sigma as a system of tools for sustainable improvement

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James F. Cox III, Ph.D, CFPIM, CIRM, holds TOCICO certifications in Production and Supply Chain, Performance Measurement, Critical Chain, Strategy and Tactics, and Thinking Processes. He is a Jonah’s Jonah, Professor Emeritus, and was the Robert O. Arnold Professor of Business in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Prior to his tenure at UGA, Dr. Cox held the E. L. Lowder Professorship in the School of Business at Auburn University.

John G. Schleier, Jr., holds TOCICO certifications in all disciplines. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mortgage Services Division of Alltel, Inc., Executive Vice President of Computer Power, Inc., and Director of Office Systems and Data Delivery for IBM, where he directed major software development projects, sales administration, and financial functions. Mr. Schleier served on the faculty of The University of Georgia Terry College of Business Administration as IBM Executive in Residence and as Executive Professor of Management.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1216 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (June 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071665544
• ISBN-13: 978-0071665544
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 1.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A most useful volume August 7, 2010

By Jeffrey Schraeder

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been working with Theory of Constraints concepts and methods since 1989 when I discovered "The Goal" by Dr Eli Goldratt. Since "The Goal" many books have been published by Dr. Goldratt and other practitioners. Up until now the most practical way to learn and understand the basic ideas and practices of TOC was to acquire those books. I was almost reluctant to buy this handbook thinking that my library of over 40 books was sufficient. However, I couldn't resist, I bought it.

It's a big book in many ways. It is over 1100 pages and covers TOC in a systematic and complete manner from philosophy to basic concepts to practical checklists and formats for using the tools. The chapters are written by people who have been influential in originating and putting into practice TOC methods. It is not just a compendium of their older work, it contains much that is new and written specifically for this volume. Efrat Goldratt-Ashlag's chapter on 'The Layers of Resistance - The Buy-In Process According to TOC' will change the way you think about, not only how you work with your customers but also how you conduct yourself in other relationships. This chapter alone was worth the price of the book for me. Lisa Scheinkopf's chapter on "Thinking Processes Including S&T Trees' is like a guided tour through the process of diagnosing what is keeping an enterprise from achieving its goals right through to developing a strategy for success.

You will be a better consultant, manager, or person after reading Dr. Goldratt's introduction and the two chapters I mentioned above.

1100 pages is a lot to read. So far I have only sampled in the rest of the book but everything I have read has been clear, accessible, and useful.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best handbook I have now July 21, 2010

By Practicing Industrial Engineer

Format:Hardcover

I have had many handbooks over the years. Some were good and most were lacking. This has to be the best handbook I have read. The sections cover topics such as supply chain, quality and project management, just to name a few. There is enough detail from implementation in each section. Even with different authors, there is not overlap of material. The language and diagrams are consistent throughout the handbook, which can be difficult when different authors are involved. Each section is written by a LEADER of TOC. I also like the appendix that points to other books that might be helpful if more detail is needed. I would recommend this handbook for all levels of knowledge of TOC.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary Handbook for all Managers under pressure to improve August 31, 2010

By Dr Amstrong

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Theory of Constraints (TOC) have been around for over 30 years and it is quite incredible to see how the growth rate in it's applications has been accelerating rather than declining. This TOC Handbook is definitely proof of that. The extraordinary handbook consists of 38 chapters, each written by a leading TOC expert or TOC academic. It is really impressive to see how despite the diversity in authors, the editors were able to maintain consistency in the way each chapter is presented and illustrated. Typically most of the chapters cover the "Why Change?", "What to change?", "What to change to", and " How to cause the change?" of the topic it covers with many chapters providing details on how to overcome practical implementation challenges.

The introductory chapter by Dr Eli Goldratt, the creator of TOC, provides a fascinating description of the evolution of TOC, since it's first application to manufacturing in the late 1970's to today where it is being applied in an holistic way to achieve what Goldratt calls "Ever Flourishing" organizations. As a senior executive of a company and an avid follower and practitioner of TOC I couldn't wait for this book's release in June 2010. After reading all the chapters, I can honestly say all the chapters are worth a read but the ones that really stood out (readers can buy individual chapters as ebooks) include chapter 4 by Realization Technologies on "Getting durable results with Critical Chain - a field report", chapter 11 on "Supply Chain management the TOC way" by Amir Schragenheim, chapters 15 and 16 by Dr Alan Barnard on "Continuous improvement & Auditing the TOC way" and "Holistic TOC Implementation Case studies" which includes case studies from both the Public and Private sector (co-authored by Ray Immelman), Chapter 25 on "Thinking processes including S&T trees" by Lisa Scheinkopf, Chapter 27 on "TOC in Prisons" by Christina Cheng and Chapter 29 on "Theory of Constraints in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services" by John Ricketts.

I can definitely recommend this Handbook or at least to get a few of the individual chapters (great value at less than $6 ea) to both those that are new to Theory of Constraints and want to understand what it is and how it can be applied to many different organizations and subjects, but also for the more experienced TOC practitioner like me, who knows the more we learn about TOC, the wider our base and the faster and more effective the rate of our own learning, communication and implementation success.