The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox
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Book Reviews of The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
Book Review: Theory of Constraints explained and its wide applications revealed
Summary: 5 Stars
The Goal is a fascinating book about the Theory of Constraints which was introduced to the world by Eliyahu Goldratt. I must admit the title didn't appeal much to me, but bought it anyway because it was recommended highly. After reading it, I realized that the title was perfect since it plays well into the questioning that needs to take place in order to identify the constraint or bottleneck in an organization. The book is written as a novel, which makes the book a lot easier to read and also a lot more entertaining
Alex Rogo is a plant manager and at the beginning of the novel is greeted at his plant by the VP who informs him that his production numbers need to improve or they will be shutting down the plant. Of course, during all this mess Rogo is also going through a rocky marriage and throughout the book the reader is taken through the struggle of both issues.
Alex seeks advice from an old Physicist from Israel named Jonah. Jonah takes Alex through the Socratic method of analysis which is the way Alex then communicates with his management team to solve the issues causing the low throughput in the factory. The conversations that take place between Jonah, Alex and the entire management team are extremely interesting and informative. I wonder how often this level of discussion actually takes place, but it sure makes for interesting reading.
A lot of the applications of the theory of constraints, although they take place in the factory, could be easily implemented in all industries.
Mr. Goldratt has written a business book that will remain relevant for many years to come. I highly recommend this incredible business book. Anyone who does business consulting and does not read and use the information on this book is doing his/her clients a great disservice.
Book Review: Very nice novel about the thoery of constraints
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a nice novel about a factory manager encountering typical problems in his company as: bad delivery performance, low quality and high cost. The story itself builds on the theory of constraints and covers many aspects, addressed by modern manufacturing insights from Quick-Response-Manufcturing (bottle-neck problems and its improvement, wrong understanding of utilisation at workstations, misleading accounting policies, hot-job disturbances, design for manufacturing, purchase and lot size flaws, queueing theory, influence of labour unions, tagging jobs etc.).
Even though the book will not provide the explicit theory behind the scene, it describes very well the problems we often find in companies even this days. The book covers not only softfactors than contains a lot of true findings about accounting and the often misleading interpretation of numbers we still have in the 21st century.
For people interested in operational improvement you should read books as Quick-Response-Manufacturing, Factory Physics or others. I read this book already 4 times and as your knowledge about the "mechanics" of operations grows, the book will be even more interesting, because for most of the problems arising in this novel you will recognize the flaw behind traditional thinking and what could be the solution.
What I liked most in the book is, that you always have to go where the problems are - so this is nothing else than the japanese genchi genbutsu (go see your self). Whether you work in operations ore anywhere, asking always questions about what is really going on and questioning of traditions and old policies often leads to real improvements.
May be one of the niciest business novels ever,
Best Regards,
Oliver
Book Review: It' so much more than a business book on meeting the goal
Summary: 5 Stars
I didn't know what to expect when I began reading this novel about a manufacturing plant. As provider of a professional (legal and risk management) services, I initially thought this wouldn't have much application for me. But it certainly does. First, the story itself, told as a novel, is an enjoyable read. This must be the first business book that I didn't want to put down until I had finished reading it from cover to cover!
Key points in the book include the principle of finding and then focusing on the one true goal and not getting caught up on a lot of side issues that others (even others in management) might think are the goal. This requires learning how to stop and really look at the problem. It then requires new ways to look for and try potential solutions. This includes ask penetrating questions of yourself and others who may provide key information and insights. And it requires really listening to what the affected people have to say about different aspects of achieving the goal.
An important point that is made is that every individual within the organization has part of the knowledge needed to reach the goal, and that we need to create a genuine environment where we not only encourage their participation but we also teach everyone how to ask the right questions so they can see for themselves what needs to be done to achieve the goal.
Incidentally, the partnership of communication that ultimately develops between the lead character and his employees and superiors overflows into his relationship with his spouse and naturally changes their relationship as well. There is much to be learned from this book, and I can see why it has been such a huge success for so many years.
Book Review: Parmeet Kohli - IME 415 Dr. Rosenkrantz
Summary: 5 Stars
The Goal, by Eliyahu Goldratt, is a fictional novel describing real business practices. Most of the ideas and concepts discussed in the book can be applied in manufacturing and service environments. It teaches numerous strategies to manage a business prosperously. He deals with people facing day to day problems which can be related by managers at offices.
Mr Goldratt describes the situation of a manufacturing plant manager, Alex Rogo, who is going through some rough time with personal and professional obstacles. Alex realises he needs help when his plant is about to be closed since it was unable to meet the output requirements. In order to get help, he gets in touch with Jonah, a management consultant that made Alex see how the plant could be improved and conflicts between accounting and production could be solved. Through Jonah's suggestions, Alex identified production bottlenecks which were hindering the rate of production. Also he came up with ideas to overcome this bottleneck issue.
Also Alex talks about Theory of Contraints where he shows how to identify the constraint, how it effects the production, cost per operations and quality of operations. The book has mathematical inductions of Theory of Constraints as well that try to explain it using the mathematical approach.
In short, the book is useful in applying ideas to a production system and improving its organizational effectiveness and productivity. It also faciliates the concept of free up capital tied up in excess inventory along with reduced customer frustration. All these components make up a successful and prosperous production system which every manager dreams of.
Book Review: Parmeet Kohli - IME 415 Dr. Rosenkrantz
Summary: 5 Stars
The Goal, by Eliyahu Goldratt, is a fictional novel describing real business practices. Most of the ideas and concepts discussed in the book can be applied in manufacturing and service environments. It teaches numerous strategies to manage a business prosperously. He deals with people facing day to day problems which can be related by managers at offices.
Mr Goldratt describes the situation of a manufacturing plant manager, Alex Rogo, who is going through some rough time with personal and professional obstacles. Alex realises he needs help when his plant is about to be closed since it was unable to meet the output requirements. In order to get help, he gets in touch with Jonah, a management consultant that made Alex see how the plant could be improved and conflicts between accounting and production could be solved. Through Jonah's suggestions, Alex identified production bottlenecks which were hindering the rate of production. Also he came up with ideas to overcome this bottleneck issue.
Also Alex talks about Theory of Contraints where he shows how to identify the constraint, how it effects the production, cost per operations and quality of operations. The book has mathematical inductions of Theory of Constraints as well that try to explain it using the mathematical approach.
In short, the book is useful in applying ideas to a production system and improving its organizational effectiveness and productivity. It also faciliates the concept of free up capital tied up in excess inventory along with reduced customer frustration. All these components make up a successful and prosperous production system which every manager dreams of.