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: Remember the Goal
Summary: 5 Stars
In reading The Goal, I was not completely sure what to expect when I first began to read it. I was told that it was a novel, but at the same time I was being required to read it for an engineering Statistical Quality Control class, so I figured it would be quite interesting to see a novel used to explain something for engineering.
The novel, as soley a a story, was entertaining and brings up many aspects of life that pertain to working and how it relates with having a family. The interesting part about this aspect of the book, is that it utilizes the theory of the book as a whole, which pertains to engineering and manufacturing, showing the theory to be more universal.
The theory that I have spoken of is mainly that of having a goal and making sure that the goal remains the focus. This theory is the basis for all else that is presented in the book, although it is not the only theory presented. The theory of constraints is also spoken of and many other specific thoughts in the area of manufacturing.
Overall, I found this book to be very useful in bringing my view of how to approach problems, and in many ways life, to focus. It was an excellent reminder that we need to remember what we are doing and understand the implications of actions, but most of all, to focus on what we are trying to achieve.
Book Review: Edutainment at its best
Summary: 5 Stars
Eli Goldratt is very clear about this book's objectives. He intends it to teach, in an entertaining manner. His message is very useful. His medium is very readable. The net impact is truly amazing. A masterpiece like non other. I wonder why there aren't any others!
This is a story of a plant manager who is in deep trouble, at work and at home. The Goal takes us through his journey of discovery and epiphany. The protagonist learns through socratic dialogues with a school friend. I learn the same way from the novel.
This book is a page-turner. Fast paced, tight, and with superb characterization. It is a classic in its own right as a story.
This book also teaches. While maintaining interest, it helps in learning the basics of Theory of Constraints, a truly amazing approach to problem solving. Using the factory as a context, The Goal teaches us that we need to measure the right things and then prioritize based on the biggest bottleneck. Simple, elegant, and profound.
This book also uses analogies to illustrate. The hiking example, including the matchstick game, stay with us long after the lessons are hazy.
Lastly, this book is about human beings and their struggles. Eli Goldratt applies similar priniciples to home life, with amazing results.
Why can't more authors write like Goldratt?
Book Review: Theory of Constraints
Summary: 5 Stars
The Goal, by Eliyahu Goldratt is a must read for all those in the industrial or manufacturing engineering field and more importantly into management. The Goal presents a thinking process called the Theory of Constraints, which allows for many to understand how to achieve the ultimate goal of companies, making money. Goldratt explains the importance of increasing throughput and minimizing operation expenses and inventory as the basis of the Theory of Constraints. He also adds the five step process of the Theory of Constraints: Identify the system's constraints; Exploit the system's constraints; Subordinate everything else to the above; Elevate the system's constraints; and If a constraint has been broken, go back to step 1, but do not allow inertia to cause a system's constraint.
As The Goal explains Goldratt's theory, he does so in a narrative. In doing so he makes his points direct, and a very easy read. Also by making it a narrative, it allows the reader to see that while in management there's a life beyond your job and being able to manage both is tough but doable. In addition, while reading the book you are able to put yourself in the shoes of main character, plant manager Alex Rogo, and really understand how to manage a company.
Book Review: A brilliant management novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Eliyahu Goldratt brilliantly presents his ideas on the Theory of Constraints in the form of a captivating novel. It is a management story about people dealing with the problems managers face at home and at work every day.
Alex Rogo is a plant manager who is continually fighting to meet the output requirements of his business. There are ongoing conflicts between marketing, accounting and production in the organization. Through some suggestions from Jonah, a friendly management guru, Rogo learns to identify and manage the problem areas in the operation and saves his plant from going out of business. Specifically, Rogo identifies production bottlenecks that are the critical points determining the rate of production of the operation. Then he develops strategies for overcoming or living with the bottlenecks.
Goldratt's ideas are amazingly applicable in manufacturing and service environments. By studying and applying these ideas, one could improve the organizational effectiveness and productivity, reduce inventory, and reduce organizational anxiety. The Goal is a must for anyone who wants to go into the managing and supervising.
Book Review: The Goal
Summary: 5 Stars
I personally likes the way the author, Eliyahu Goldratt describe the basic concept of theory of constraint (TOC) management. He is teaching the theory at the same time providing the real life situation by writing a story of a plant manager, Alex Rogo, and all his problems that he needs to be dealt with in terms of his plant and his personal problems. In fact, I think Goldratt is very creative in teaching this theory by choosing a novel format rather than just providing the theory itself.
My main interest in the story is the Boy Scout hike, where Goldratt taught on how bottleneck should be concentrated first. Then, distributing the work of this bottleneck throughout all the jobs, so that all the jobs can move along together. Although it is a pretty obvious logical thinking, but as a human, we often forget this basic theory. In other words, sometimes we ignored this bottleneck situation, we rather concentrate on other jobs which is making the situation worsen. By reading this book, I can kind of picture what it would be like to be a plant manager in the future, at least it is a very good examples for my future jobs.