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: 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.
Book Review: A must read
Summary: 5 Stars
On the advice of a consultant that is assessing my management team and helping us to identify factors that inhibit our progression and areas to exploit, I read The Goal and gave copies to each of my managers. I purchased the audio for me and it was an easy listen to and from work. Although my company is known for its efficient and profitable operations, I have learned a tremendous amount of possibilities for improvement including the chief "bottleneck" for the past several years. Although I had identified there was a problem, I had laid the blame on the manager. I now think differently and am putting ideas in place to eliminate this bottleneck to improve our quality, both internally and externally,to be even more efficient and have a higher morale in the department experiencing the bottleneck.
I recommend this to business owners, CEO's, operation managers or anyone involved in manufacturing or plant processing. I look forward to continuing the discussion of the Goal with my management team and working through the factors that are preventing us from being the best we can be.
Book Review: A Great Read
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is not only entertaining and educational, but in actuality represents some of the manufacturing organizations today. It teaches many lessons and fundamentals that one can apply to improve his company. It touches on topics that are highly practiced on the field of industrial and manufacturing companies such as bottleneck operation, process scheduling, theory of constraints, and batch processing. The book transitions from a division plant being in trouble of closing down to its complete turnaround to become not only the most productive division plant, but the plant that saved the company. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Goldratt systematically went through the process of improvement and methods that the plant manager utilized to turn around his division plant. Having studied these topics that the book touched upon prior to reading made it easy for me to see the relevance of what was going on through out the novel. I strongly feel that the insight this novel gave me in regards to the process of ongoing improvement is something that I will be able make good use off in my career.
Book Review: Solid read applicable to business and beyond
Summary: 4 Stars
The Goal is a well-written book, broadly applicable to anyone in business and to an extent life in general. It is a no-nonsense novel, utilizing and exploring real-life situations and personalities. What I liked most about the book is the integration of "scientific" approach to business, how assumptions are constantly questioned, explored, and reformulated, and how the human element is, albeit slightly, interwoven.
While the most benefit clearly is in manufacturing context, I find the book to be useful and I work in professional services. I akin the Theory of Constraints ("bottleneck management") to Stephen Covey's example of "moving big rocks", hence the applicability to life in general. Said another way, I believe one must focus on the things that are most constraining (the boundaries), and this method of thought is explored in The Goal. The book also interweaves personal experiences into the "core" business theme, which allows for some examination of life outside of work and of course personalizes the story.
Overall, great book and a suggested read for sure.
Book Review: Beware!! It can catch you like cold
Summary: 5 Stars
I dont see a need to repeat what this book is about. They are already available in most of the reviews here. Instead, let me warn about what could happen to you after reading this book.
Its no wonder that this business novel from Eli Goldtratt is so popular among today's managers/MBAs. The secret of its popularity is that every reader can immediately empathize/relate with Alex Rogo (the protagonist), his situation at the outset of the novel and his success at the end. It sets you thinking and drawing parallels from your own organization/team; what are its constraints and how you could go about applying the five step process of TOC to solve your problems.
The optimism of this book is so contagious that it can catch you like cold, make you restless and make you want to solve all the problems in your organization/team overnight, as if the magic key that opens the door to utopia has been handed over to you.
Whether the door opens onto utopia OR to a (looping) passage that brings you back to where you were, is for you to discover!!