Nineteen years ago, when Steve Jackson first became involved with the Theory of Constraints (TOC), there were only two books available on the topic. The past 10 years has seen something of an explosion of material, reflecting the growing relevance of the Theory of Constraints technology over time. An understanding of the TOC becomes more relevant, not less, as other improvement technologies and philosophies gain in popularity.
Theory of Constraints - Related Books
(Prices in $US)
Manufacturing
The Goal, A Process of Ongoing Improvement $20, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt & Jeff Cox.
This book is almost legendary; a fast-paced novel that features a harried plant manager working desperately to turn around a plant threatened with closure while his marriage threatens to fall apart. It introduces the fundamental measurements, the basics of Drum-Buffer-Rope, and the market segmentation approach to winning additional business.
The Race $15, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt & Robert Fox.
With clear, simple diagrams intended to be made into transparencies, and a clear text to match, this book explains the Throughput, Inventory and Operating Expense measurements and the Drum-Buffer-Rope approach to Synchronous Manufacturing.
The Haystack Syndrome: Sifting Information out of the Data Ocean $30, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt.
The book is packed with good material ... but be warned, it’s detailed and not as easy reading as The Goal. It gets quite technical at the end. Dr. Goldratt explains what questions a manufacturing information system should answer, and how such a system should work, by applying the Theory of Constraints from 1st principles.
Synchronous Manufacturing $30, by Dr. Mike Umble & Dr. M.L. Srikanth.
Until it’s recent upgrade, this book was the best all-round presentation of Synchronous Manufacturing issues, not only introducing the fundamental measurements and the basics of Drum-Buffer-Rope but also going into details of the applications to A-, V- and T- plants, for example.
Synchronous Management Vols. I and II $40 and $30 respectively, by Dr. Mike Umble & Dr. M.L. Srikanth.
Vol. I is an updated version of Synchronous Manufacturing, and Vol. II goes into more detail on implementation issues, including some case studies. Highly recommended.
Re-Engineering The Manufacturing System $60, by Robert E. Stein.
The title is accurate; the focus here is explicitly on the design of a manufacturing information system according to the principles of the Theory of Constraints. It takes the design outlined by Dr. Goldratt in The Haystack Syndrome and explains many of the issues in much more detail. Not for someone looking for an introduction to TOC. Specialists only!
Measurements for Effective Decision Making $25, by Dr. M.L. Srikanth and Scott A. Robertson.
The book goes into some depth on the fundamental TOC measurements of Throughput, Inventory and Operating Expense and then goes beyond, into common-sense measurements designed to measure performance accurately and drive the correct decision making. Nothing earth-shaking for those familiar with T, I, OE.
Manufacturing at Warp Speed $57.95, by Eli Schragenheim and H. William Dettmer.
An excellent book with a companion CD that offers the opportunity to apply some of the TOC concepts in a simulated production environment. The book covers the TOC basics then develops into a detailed coverage of the Drum-Buffer-Rope technique and the variation they introduce, s-DBR. From this foundation the book expands to cover a lot of related ground from a TOC perspective.
Manufacturer's Guide to Implementing the Theory of Constraints $42.95, Mark J. Woeppel.
Thorough coverage of all the implementation steps and procedures to make the transition to a Drum-Buffer-Rope implementation in a typical organization. A worthwhile read for anyone considering an implementation.
Throughput Accounting
The Theory of Constraints and It's Implications for Management Accounting $25, by Eric Noreen, Debra Smith and James T. Mackey.
An excellent book written by TOC-familiar accounting specialists who set out to compare and contrast the TOC measurements with those of the accounting text books. The book includes case studies of seven businesses that have implemented the TOC to differing extents.
The Measurement Nightmare (How the Theory of Constraints can resolve conflicting strategies, policies, and measures) $40, by Debra Smith.
Some love the style, some hate it, but the book is filled with great examples of precisely what the sub-title suggests, with the flaws in cost accounting taking a real beating. The book also goes into depth in how to reconcile GAAP with Throughput Accounting.
Throughput Accounting $20, by Thomas Corbett.
In this book Corbett provides a clear explanation of Throughput Accounting and the differences between Throughput Accounting and conventional accounting. It documents some good examples of issues of alignment between GAAP and Throughput Accounting numbers and demonstrates some of cost accounting's flaws, showing how these errors will lead to bad decision making.
Critical Chain Project Management
Critical Chain $20 by Eliyahu M. Goldratt.
Again a fast-paced business novel, this book aims to have the same "Ah Ha!" impact on project management that The Goal had for manufacturing. It’s not quite another Goal but definitely worth the read for anyone experiencing the classic project management problems – over-budget, behind schedule, not meeting original specs – and looking for an intro to the Critical Chain approach.
Project Management in the Fast Lane (Applying the Theory of Constraints) $45, by Robert C Newbold.
Packed with solid information and written by a real expert on the TOC and the Critical Chain Project management application, this is the "bible" for Critical Chain. The book takes a long time to read because there’s simply so much good stuff packed into every page.
Critical Chain Project Management $75, by Lawrence P. Leach.
Develops the TOC Project Management solution by applying fundamental TOC principles, then positions the Critical Chain project scheduling and control method within a bigger picture context of project-related practices, including project initiation procedures and risk management.
TOC Thinking Processes
What Is This Thing Called the Theory of Constraints $25, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt.
This book explains the foundation underneath Dr. Goldratt’s "Thinking Processes," and is intended to be a thought-provoking, rather than a how-to, text. Parts of it are a bit dated (for example, the description of the "Jonah" process). Readers often comment that the book is not well written, and I have to agree; however this doesn’t take away from the value of the content of the book. I suggest you borrow one of mine rather than buy one yourself.
It’s Not Luck $20, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt.
A sequel to The Goal, it focuses more on the "Thinking Processes" of the Theory of Constraints as Alex Rogo deals with the challenges of his promotion. The Thinking processes are used to enable several businesses under his direction to develop innovative market offers that their customers simply couldn’t refuse; offers that ultimately increased the profitability and value of the businesses substantially. A good introduction to the Thinking Processes, it makes no attempt to be a "how-to."
Management Dilemmas (The Theory of Constraints Approach to Problem Identification and Solutions) $20, by Eli Schragenheim.
Highly recommended for anyone wishing to understand better or even to practice the use of TOC Thinking Processes. The book does exactly what it’s title suggests – it poses some very real management dilemmas in a variety of scenarios (this is not a book on manufacturing) then suggests how the TOC would view the issues. Extremely well written and thought-provoking. Eli is one of the best brains associated with the TOC, and was at one time a partner of Eli Goldratt.
Thinking for a Change (Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use) $43, by Lisa J. Scheinkopf.
Lisa is one of the most proficient people in the world with the Thinking Processes and an excellent teacher, and this book is an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand overview of the TP. Be warned, though; do not expect to be able to "do" any of the Thinking Processes after reading this (or any) book. There is no substitute for several man-days of face-to-face instruction.
Breaking the Constraints to World Class Performance $33, by H. William Dettmer.
This is a great book for anyone wanting an in-depth understanding of the TOC Thinking Processes, providing more detail than Lisa’s book and packed with examples which really help … but even so, do NOT expect to be able to ‘do" any of the TP after reading the book! | 