Agile Factory



TOC Books & Reviews

The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement  
by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox
published by North River Press; 2nd Rev edition (May 1, 1992)
380+ pages in paperback
ISBN: 0884270610

My comment:
I read this book several times and still I have new ideas even those faraway from TOC. It works like idea generator :)
You'll find the book as easy to read as in fact it is business novel even explaining to you what is the Theory of Constraints - TOC. On real world simple examples Goldratt will show you what you cannot see now in your factory and not only your factory but in your life as well.
This is just the first shot, do not expect to understand TOC. The book is just trying to show you a different way of solving problem you meet daily. Too much inventory, cannot keep due dates, WIP is growing up, everybody as busy but profit is beyond the horizon. Goldratt explains that there is a link effect->cause because everybody are busy then hard to get profit ...


The Race 
by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
published by North River Press (October 1, 1986)
170+ pages in paperback
ISBN: 0884270629

My comment:
I use this workbook quite often even it was published 20 years ago. Very visual tool.
In fact it was written as companion of The Goal but it could be used stand alone as well.


Critical Chain 
by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
published by North River Press (April 1, 1997)
240+ pages in paperback
ISBN: 0884271536

My comment:
This book will introduce TOC solution for project management - Critical chain project management CCPM. It was the first time I have met project management theory. I can simply recommend to all of you who has to manage projects no matter if building skyscrapers, making software utility, magaging transfers of production from a sister company, lead development team or what ever. Our life consists from many projects and usually more projects are running at the same time, sharing resources. If you want to mange them, read this book. If you have to manage complicated projects buy software. I can recommend Sciforma PS8. Great tool! You can design projects using traditional critical path or switch to critical chain TOC method. Could manage subprojects,group them evaluate recource load etc. You can get some trial version for limited time, I feel 30 days from their web site.


Necessary But Not Sufficient 
by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
published by North River Press (October, 2000)
230+ pages in paperback
ISBN: 0884271706

My comment:
Why just three stars? This is interesting book but not for all. It is useful and very understandable for IT managers and ERP software vendors. If you are not IT manager or you don't sell or make ERP software, do not buy this book as it will not tell you what you expect.
Goldratt is right that we spend big money for ERP packages expecting it will solve all problems especially with material shortage or excess. Later we understand step by step that we improved little bit but on the other hand we had to spent additional money for software adjustment, training, and we need more staff as data entry and change processes in the factory ... The market is changing and new ERP vendors are trying to force us to buy their package because they have the right solution for us. Neverending story.  :)
So five stars as excellent if you are IT guy and no star if you aren't. Unlike the other Goldratt's books "Necessary But Not Sufficient" is for limited audience only.


Management Dynamics: Merging Constraints Accounting to Drive Improvement
by John A. Caspari, Pamela Caspari
published by John Wiley & Sons (September 3, 2004)
320+ pages in hardcover
ISBN: 0471672319

My comment:


Viable Vision: Transforming Total Sales into Net Profits
by Gerald I. Kendall
published by J. Ross Publishing (September, 2004)
170+ pages in paperback
ISBN: 193215938X

My comment:


Strategic Navigation: A Systems Approach to Business Strategy
by H. William Dettmer
published by ASQ Quality Press (July 1, 2003)
320+ pages in hardcover
ISBN: 0873896033

My comment:

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