Recommended Theory of Constraints Books

Page One

For books by TOC-Lean Institute Principal Ted Hutchin,
please click here.

The Goal - 20th Anniversary Edition - Eli Goldratt and Jeff Cox

This best-selling Business Novel tells the story of how a chance meeting with his old professor helps Alex Rogo devise a process of ongoing improvement that saves his plant. The story of Rogo's fight to save his plant is more than compulsive reading: it contains a serious message for all managers in industry and explains the ideas which underline the Theory of Constraints (TOC) developed by Eli Goldratt.

This 20th Anniversary Edition includes a series of detailed case study interviews which explore how organisations around the world have been transformed by Goldratt's ideas

Over 3 million copies sold worldwide!

Critical Chain Project Management - Lawrence P Leach

The Second Edition of this best-selling book is packed with fresh, field-tested insights on how to plan, lead, and complete projects in "half the time, all the time." This easy-to-follow guide offers you the power to shorten project delivery time, eliminate cost and scheduling over-runs, manage project resources more efficiently, reduce stress on your project team, and finish projects that meet or exceed expectations.

The book gives you full understanding of the CCPM techniques, tools and theory you need to develop critical chain solutions and apply them to all types of projects, as well as effective strategies for bringing about the organisational change required to succeed.

TOC Executive Challenge: A Goal Game - John Tripp

This computer-based learning simulator puts the player in charge of everything at the plant, from purchasing raw materials to selling finished goods, and challenges the player to repeat the successes achieved by plant manager Alex Rogo in Eli Goldratt's business novel, The Goal.

You have one advantage over Alex Rogo, however: Vendors, budget, staff, sales, materials, shipping and machinery are perfect; everyone cooperates, nothing breaks down. The only variable in this simulator is the qualtiy of your decisions. In one week, you can make a substantial profit, or you can run your plant into the ground. If you get stuck, this user guide will help you apply the lessons of The Goal.

Production the TOC Way (Self-Learning Kit) With CD-ROM - Eli Goldratt

Using a workbook, tutor guide and a computer simulator, Eli Goldratt walks the student through the process of understanding the cause of problems commonly seen in operations environments. He then explains how Drum-Buffer-Rope can be implemented to eliminate them and cause a step-change in performance.
This book will help you translate the contents of 'The Goal' into workable procedures in your own organisation.

The Ultimate Improvement Cycle: Maximizing Profits Through the Integration of Lean, Six Sigma and the Theory of Constraints - Bob Sproull

This book integrates TOC, lean concepts and Six Sigma into a combined business strategy aptly named the Ultimate Improvement Cycle (UIC). Unlike other systems, the UIC is all about economizing resources by focusing improvement efforts on those key leverage points that will prove most optimal, rather than diluting one’s efforts with an expensive across-the board-approach to improvement. Although eliminating waste (Lean) and reducing variation (Six Sigma) are both critical components of all successful improvement initiatives, where these efforts are focused will determine the ultimate impact on a company’s bottom line; TOC provides that vital focus.

The UIC is derived from Bob Sproull’s years of executive experience with the Toyota Production System and consulting work with several high profile companies. He provides you with the guidance and insight to apply the right tools at the right time to achieve maximum results.

It's Not Luck - Eli Goldratt

Alex Rogo has had a great year. He was promoted to Executive vice-president of UniCo with the responsibility for three recently acquired companies. His team of former and new associates is in place and the future looks secure and exciting. But there has been a shift of policy at the board level. Cash is needed and Alex's companies are to be put on the auction block. Alex faces a cruel dilemma. If he successfully completes the turnaround of his companies they can be sold for maximum return. If he fails, the companies will be closed down. Either way, Alex and his team will be out of work. It looks like a lose-lose situation...

In this sequel to The Goal, Dr. Goldratt shows how to apply TOC to the supply chain, specifically to sales and marketing, inventory control, and production distribution. In addition, the TOC techniques in conflict resolution and communication are introduced on both a business and a personal level.

Critical Chain - Eli Goldratt

This business novel has had the same impact on the world of project management that 'The Goal' had in operations and 'It's Not Luck' had in marketing. Critical Chain project management not only teaches companies and individuals to drastically cut project development times - resulting in early completion within budget without compromising quality or specifications - but also provides the framework to create a decisive competitive edge for organisations. It is especially useful for dealing with one of the most difficult and pressing management challenges: developing highly innovative new products.

Necessary But Not Sufficient - Eli Goldratt, Eli Schragenheim & Carol Ptak

Hi-tech companies are a breed apart. Never before have the chances of making a fortune been so realistic and never before have large companies been so fragile. What types of pressures and challenges are they facing? And how do they cope? In the nineties we witnessed the growth of companies such as computer software providers from small business into multibillion dollar giants. In 1998 it was easy for these companies to raise as much money as they wanted; but now, investment funds have dried up.
Why? And more importantly, is there a way to reverse the trend? This book gives the answers, in Dr Goldratt's now classic 'business novel' style.

The Choice - Eli Goldratt

In this book, Goldratt once again presents his thought provoking approach, this time through a conversation with his daughter Efrat, as he explains to her his fundamental system of beliefs - a pragmatic life philosophy. Dr. Goldratt exhorts his readers to examine and reassess their lives and business practices by cultivating a different perspective and a clear new vision.

Ever Improve - Oded Cohen

In this practical guide to managing production the TOC Way, Oded Cohen describes the 'U' shape which is a process to move from low performance measures through a systematic implementation to very high performance measures. The focus is on manufacturing environments that are "make to order".