47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to ROCK with TOC., May 13, 2001
This review is from: Thinking for a Change: Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use (The CRC Press Series on Constraints Management) (Hardcover)
At the end of the book, the author states
"My intent with this book was to provide you with a user friendly set of guidelines to the Thinking Processes"
Lisa has succeeded brilliantly in accomplishing this goal! Goldratt, through his business novels, "The Goal", "It's Not Luck", "Critical Chain", and "Necessary But Not Sufficient" laid a foundation which enables anyone to ease into an understanding of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and the Thinking Processes (TP).
"Thinking for a Change" is one of a number of books which build on Dr. Goldratt's work. The Thinking Processes are explained and illustrated in layman's terms. The situations (dilemmas) used to illustrate Thinking Process applications include scenarios from both the business world and everyday family issues.
Upon reading this book, you will gain an understanding of the following:
Current Reality Tree - Used to examine cause and effect relationships that bring about the present situation.
Prerequisite Tree - A road map of obstacles to overcome, and specifically how they will be overcome.
Transition Tree - Used to identify and understand specific objectives and actions that will lead to a change (Future Reality)
Future Reality Tree - A tool for visualizing and understanding the desired change and how specific actions will affect that future reality.
Evaporating Cloud - A simple tool used to identify and resolve conflicting assumptions.
If you are familiar with and believe in TOC methodologies, this book is a must have. The best introductory materials are Dr. Goldratt's novels mentioned above. "Thinking For a Change" is one step up. It's more in depth, and more easily understood with at least minimal familiarity with TOC. If you've read this and are looking for hardcore TOC material, check out William Dettmers' "Goldratt's Theory of Constraints"
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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Direct from book to practice, April 13, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Thinking for a Change: Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use (The CRC Press Series on Constraints Management) (Hardcover)
I have been inrterested in Theory of Constraints for many years. However, I work in a world that is slow to change and did not offer the opportunity to openly apply this new theory. Recently the international corporation that I work for, asked me to undertake a study on one of our internal benefit programs. Three years running this problem was a major employee hot spot on the satisfaction survey. Despite numerous efforts the problems remained. As part of a working group I was asked to see what I could find out. I had just read Lisa's book and decided this was an ideal opportunity to do a complete Theory of Constraints approach on this issue. When I told senior management they were skeptical, but decided anything was worth a try. It was scheduled for a six months study. I said I would follow the processes in Lisa's book. Bottom line results: Lisa's book has processes that you can follow immediately after reading; the processes keep you on track; the problem was solved in three months. I have been asked to take the lead on another project that may benefit from Theory of Constraints processes. Unlike my old calculus classes the intuitively obvious steps are included and make this a must read.
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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent/practical intro to the Thinking Processes, July 29, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Thinking for a Change: Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use (The CRC Press Series on Constraints Management) (Hardcover)
I recently finished reading the Thinking for a Change book and I am very impressed. I have now bought at least a half dozen copies and have started distributing them at work. This book is the most straightforward approach to actually beginning to apply the Thinking Processes that I have seen to date, and I have been doing a fair amount of reading on this over the past few months as my long term interest in TOC got revived six to eight months ago.
I have found this book and Thomas McMullen's book on the Theory of Constraints Management System to the be the best written of the latest crop of books to come out on this subject. Bill Dettmer's books provide much more detail, but Scheinkopf's stands out for its easy to follow examples and straightforward methodology.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in making more rapid progress toward their business or personal goals.
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