Theory of Constraints
Many of us at MS Aerospace have been attending classes to better understand Lean Manufacturing, Enterprise Thinking, Taguchi Methods, and other system oriented methodologies targeted to how we can improve operations. One part of our training has been the Theory of Constraints.
The Theory of Constraints (TOC) first became popular with the publication of “The Goal” by Eliyahu Goldratt in 1984. Since then TOC has gained wide acceptance as one part of the Lean process.
Theory of Constraints is an overall management philosophy that aims to continually achieve more of the goal of a system. According to TOC, every organization has one key constraint which limits the system’s performance relative to its goal. In the case of a factory this constraint is commonly reffered to as a “bottleneck”. In order to manage the performance of the system, the bottleneck must be identified and managed correctly (according to the Five Focusing Steps below).
The Five Focusing Steps
Theory of Constraints is based on the premise that the rate of output from any process is limited by at least one constraining process (i.e. a bottleneck). Only by increasing throughput (flow) at the bottleneck process can overall throughput be increased.
The key steps in implementing an effective TOC approach are:
- Identify the bottleneck (the thing that prevents the organization from obtaining more of the goal);
- Decide how to exploit the constraint (make sure the constraint is doing things that the constraint uniquely does, and not doing things that it should not do);
- Subordinate all other processes to above decision (align all other processes to the decision made above);
- Elevate the constraint (if required, permanently increase capacity of the constraint, i.e. “buy more”);
- If, as a result of these steps, the constraint has moved, return to Step 1. Don’t let inertia become the constraint.
Anyone who has ever worked in a factory knows about bottlenecks and delays. The TOC simply provides a structured approach, and some specific tools to use in identifying and managing bottlenecks. We hope that by better understanding where our bottlenecks are and by developing a better method to manage them that we can increase the output of the entire system, which is, after all, our goal.
Hire a Qualified Person versus Non-Threatening Person
How many times have you wondered how a person was hired to do a job that could have been performed so much better by another person? I believe many managers want to hire non-threatening individuals as opposed to qualified persons as a means to protect their own positions. This seems like it should never work due to the failure of the non-threatening individual. Would’nt that failure also reflect badly upon the manager? That has not been my observation. What happens is that the manager simply blames the person for failing, and moves on. These type of managers are horrible for the growth and health of companies, but unfortunately, they are prolific. I subscribe to the theory that it is best to hire qualified personnel. Someone once said that he preferred to hire his replacement, because that meant the job performed would qualify him for promotion. I believe that to be true as well.
Really…Why Do We Tolerate Shark Finning?
By: Charles E. McLean October 2, 2009
I find it truly fascinating in a macabre sort of way that most of the developed population of the earth and the governments that are in authority tolerate the decimation of the oceans and our shark population. This lack of regard for the effect of such decimation raises ignorance and hypocrisy to a new level. Why do we tolerate shark finning? How can any intelligent human being tolerate anyone eating shark fin soup knowing how the fins are acquired and the effect of the finning?
Regarding the shark finning and soup issue, this is tolerated by too many organizations and nations. There are some organizations that are aware and are joining the fight against it. One such organization you may want to lobby is Oceana.org. Joining in and spreading the word is always something we should do to fight against these abuses and ignorance. Making sure your local markets and fish mongers shop with awareness and acquire only MSC certified products are good starts. The problem of decimating the shark population is bad enough, but thinking about the commercial over fishing that is occurring every day is sometimes overwhelming when contemplated.
24 Hour Fitness – Complaints Ignored
Why is it that the “customer service” people at 24 Hour Fitness do not respond to complaints, or even inquiries about the lack of service at its clubs, or the lack of response to equipment concerns.
24 Hour Fitness-A Reflection of Depression
24 Hour Fitness consistently fails to deliver quality customer service. The organization is defined by the absence of any understanding of, or committment to, customer service.
Sharks and Lawyers Need Love Too
December 18, 2008 by Charles E. McLean
The picture on the header of this blog is a rapidly swimming and turning lemon shark. While the picture is designed to show speed and power, there is nothing close to the real thing that can be imagined when in the water with one of these creatures. Unfortunately, due to misunderstandings, prejudices and stereotypes, sharks are compared to an equally reviled species: lawyers.
The difference is that sharks act on instinct and lawyers act, well, on their own… The point is that due to tolerance by world governments and oversight agencies, the shark population of the world is being depleted to the point of significant endangerment. Has anyone thought about a world without the apex predator of the sea, and the implications to our underwater environment as a result? Obviously animals currently being regulated naturally by sharks will proliferate as the shark population continues to decrease. This proliferation will promote adverse alteration of other animals of the sea due to the unintended increase in population previously regulated by sharks. We can extrapolate these negative consequences on and on to a logical and negative conclusion that will materially negatively impact our way of life.
While many may believe there is commonality between lawyers and sharks, anyone that has dived with these amaziing creatures (sharks, that is), realizes that they are a most wonderful animal and, perhaps unlike lawyers, definately a “must save”. Please join me in supporting the preservation of sharks.
Blueprint Reading Course at M S Aerospace
TRAINING CONTINUES AT
M S AEROSPACE
M S Aerospace, in partnership with Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) has been, and is continuing to offer courses in Blueprint Reading. Blueprint reading is a skill that is extremely useful for our machine operators, and will assist MSA to continue to improve its processes and quality. With one final class scheduled inNovember 2008, M S Aerospace anticipates that all attendees will receive their Certificate of Completion.
MSA also has introduced its proprietary “Introduction to Blueprint Reading” course. Each course is specially designed for specific departments and their applications. Currently three departments, including Production Control, NDT and Materials Lab are voluntarily participating.
Prior to each class, attendees are give a pre-test, and at the end of class the attendees are given a post-test. The results of these tests are consistently showing 100% improvement in skills for all attendees. Eventually all departments will have the opportunity to take the course.
M S Aerospace encourages all employees on a voluntary basis to take advantage of continuing education and self-improvement courses that are offered, so as to continually improve their manufacturing skills, and enhance the quality of M S Aerospace’s products.
MS Aerospace Offers English As A Second Language
ESL SUCCESSFUL AT MS AEROSPACE
With the assistance of Los Angeles Valley College, MSA has been offering English As A Second Language (ESL) courses to our 1st and 2nd shift employees that wish to improve their English language skills. The participation has been voluntary and very successful.
As a result of these efforts the average improvement of Group 1 attendees (2nd shift) relative to their original scores was +68%. Some of these 2nd shift employees had a personal increase of +142%!
Average improvement of Group 2 (1st shift) relative to their original score was +117%. One employee had a personal improvement of +342%!
With the help of Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC), MSA intends to continue to provide ESL training to our employees. This partnership with our employees and LAVC is truly a “win-win” partnership. Not only do our employees learn an important skill that can provide immediate benefits to their work at MSA, but this skill can be applied in all other aspects of our employees’ lives. MSA is proud to be a part of this process for its employees.
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