Theory of Constraints  (English, Paperback, Goldratt Eliyahu M.)

What Is This Thing Called Theory of Constraints methodically shows how to identify the factors affecting a system’s productivity and how to come up with simple solutions to eliminate the cause of the problem.

Summary Of The Book

The author evolved the philosophy of the Theory Of Constraints to define why a system could not achieve its goals. He says that a manageable entity is prevented from achieving its goals by a number of constraints. He states that the book’s purpose is essentially to answer two basic questions. These are, what factors help people come up with simple solutions to complex problems, and how to effectively implement these solutions.

The first part of What Is This Thing Called Theory of Constraints explains what exactly is the theory of constraints. Part two shows how to implement this management philosophy effectively. The first chapter explains the five steps of focus to identify the constraints in a system and determine what aspects need to be changed. The book says the best ways to overcome resistance to change is to ask people to come up with the answers themselves.

Part two shows how to implement the change required. It shows the reader how to become the type of person who can devise solutions, who also empowers other people to come up with answers. This part also explains the major hurdle to change. This is the overall psychology of the organization. The whole entity of the organization, says the author, has its own psychology in addition to individual psychology. The entrenched thinking of the system can itself resist any proposed change. The author points out that for change to be effective, the whole system must embrace it.

If one part of the organization accepts and implements a change, but other parts resist it, the solution will not be effective. The organization as a whole must embrace the solution for the problem to be solved. In order to achieve this, the author stresses that a consensus must be reached before the first step is initiated.

The book then shows how the theory of constraints can be applied to individual development as well as to an organization’s development. The final chapter discusses the similarities between three management paradigms. These are the Theory of Constraints, Total Quality Management and Just In Time. It also shows how they differ from conventional management practices.

What Is This Thing Called Theory of Constraints takes the reader on a journey through the whole process of finding the constraints and coming up with the solution.

About Eliyahu M. Goldratt

Eliyahu Moshe Goldratt was a physicist and business management expert. Other books by Goldratt include The Goal, Critical Chain, The Haystack Syndrome, The Choice, It’s Not Luck, and The Race.

Eliyahu Moshe Goldratt was born in Israel in 1947. He graduated with a degree in Science from the Tel Aviv University. He obtained his Master’s degree and Doctorate from the Bar-Ilan University. He was the originator of the Theory Of Constraints management paradigm, Optimized Production Technique, and Critical Chain Project Management. He started the Avraham Y Goldratt Institute to advocate his Theory of Constraints worldwide. He passed away in 2011.