5 Star Theory of Constraints Books

The full title of this book by Thorsteinn Siglaugsson is

From Symptoms to Causes: Applying the Logical Thinking Process to an Everyday Problem

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a 5 Stars rating. This means it is Excellent.

Here is my book review.

Very helpful introduction to the TOC Thinking Processes

The author was inspired to write this book after attending a course on the TOC Thinking Processes from Bill Dettmer. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by H William Dettmer is

“The Logical Thinking Process: A Systems Approach to Complex Problem Solving“.

In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I rate the book at the FIVE Stars level, this means that I consider it to be excellent.

Here is what I posted.

A clear explanation of TOC Thinking Processes

On the one hand, the Theory of Constraints Thinking Processes can be powerful tools for investigating the current situation and identifying vital ways to improve the system in ways to meet the goal. On the other hand, they can be daunting to prepare and/or to understand because of the acronyms, unusual terminology and complexity of both the diagrams and their underlying rules. [continue reading…]

There isn’t an extended title with this book, it’s just

“The Choice“

written by Eli Goldratt and his daughter.

In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I rated this as a FIVE stars book, which means I think it is excellent.

Here is what I posted.

The most important Goldratt book? A look at the importance of inherent simplicity

I was reading the transcript of an interview with Eli Goldratt, the main author behind the Theory of Constraints and he described this as his most important book.

More important that The Goal?Before I read The Choice, I was sceptical but now I have read it, I can understand why Goldratt said it. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Matías Birrell and Javier Arévalo is

“Forget the Urgent!: Rather focus on the important: A business dialogue based on the best seller ‘The Goal’ by Eliyahu M Goldratt“.

In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of FIVE Stars. That means I think it is excellent.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Anyone interested in the Theory of Constraints.
• Small business owners who want to improve.

The Big Idea

Every business faces constraints unless it is able to generate an infinite amount of money. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Uwe Techt is

“Goldratt and the Theory of Constraints: The Quantum Leap in Management“.

In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I gave this book a FIVE Stars rating. This means I think it is excellent.

Here is my book review.

A very helpful summary

Goldratt’s business novels like “The Goal“, “It’s Not Luck“, “Critical Chain” etc are an excellent way to get a general appreciation of the Theory Of Constraints. Their weakness comes apparent when you want to go back and remind yourself of the critical concepts because they are too buried into the story.

The author, Uwe Techt has written an excellent summary of the fundamental ideas within the Theory Of Constraints which serves as both a refresher and a reference for when you’re trying to implement the concepts. As an initial introduction, I still recommend starting with “The Goal“. [continue reading…]

Theory of Constraints Handbook

I gave this very large, very intensive look at the Theory of Constraints a rating of Five Stars in my review on Amazon.co.uk.

Here is my book review.

The Serious Guide To The Theory Of Constraints

If you’ve read “The Goal” and a few other books about the Theory Of Constraints and you want to implement it yourself or through a specialist consultancy, this is the most definitive guide I’ve seen.

It is massive with 38 chapters which end on page 1135 before the Bibliography and Index… and that’s with a smaller print font than I’d ideally like.

Its size is both a strength and a weakness. I’ve had it for five years and I use it to dip in and out of as a reference rather than as a book to read from start to finish. Its bulk is intimidating and it’s heavy to hold. [continue reading…]

The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt and Jeff Cox

Book Review Rating – 5 Stars

“The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement” is a fantastic book about performance improvement in a manufacturing business wrapped up in a novel that is hard to put down.

First published in 1984 this book introduced the world to the Theory of Constraints.

The big idea is that many of the ideas for improving a business are misguided at best and expensive mistakes at worst.

That’s because an improvement in an area outside of the constraint that is holding back performance is more an illusion than substance. Real improvements come from removing the constraint.

The Story Of The Goal

I think this was the first popular management book to be written as a story but it is an extremely effective teaching method for putting across the big ideas. The weakness is that it’s hard to pick up the details to put the ideas into action. Eli Goldratt wrote The Race as the follow-up hands-on guide. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Lisa J. Scheinkopf is

Thinking for a Change: Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use

In my review posted on Amazon.co,uk, I gave the book Five Stars. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.

Here is my book review.

A Big Improvement On It’s Not Luck

I found “It’s Not Luck” by Eli Goldratt a frustrating read.

The Theory of Constraints Thinking Processes were clearly powerful tools for diagnosing problems and implementing solutions and taking TOC out of the factory floor and into the boardrooms. But I found the tools abstract and confusing. [continue reading…]