a guide to implementing the theory of constraints

8/6/2019 A Guide to Implementing the Theory of Constraints

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A Guide to Implementingthe Theory of

Constraints (TOC)



A cloud is an elegant graphical

means of displaying and solving an

apparent conflict or dilemma

between two actions.

It is also sometimes known as a

conflict resolution diagram;

however, its correct name is acloud.

A cloud is an elegant graphical

means of displaying and solving an

apparent conflict or dilemma

between two actions.

It is also sometimes known as a

conflict resolution diagram;

however, its correct name is acloud.



Central to the use of clouds as a

problem solving device is the

assumption that there are no

conflicts in nature ± only erroneous

assumptions.

"There must be an erroneous

assumption that we make aboutreality that causes a conflict to exist

(1)."

Central to the use of clouds as a

problem solving device is the

assumption that there are no

conflicts in nature ± only erroneous

assumptions.

"There must be an erroneous

assumption that we make aboutreality that causes a conflict to exist

(1)."



Let¶s look at this from another

perspective and another culture ±

Japan;

³Problems exist because people

believe they exist. If there were no

people there would be no problems.

People are also the ones who decidethat a problem has been solved.

Problem solving is the most typical

human behavior (2).´

Let¶s look at this from another

perspective and another culture ±

Japan;

³Problems exist because people

believe they exist. If there were no

people there would be no problems.

People are also the ones who decidethat a problem has been solved.

Problem solving is the most typical

human behavior (2).´



The apparent conflicts that do arise

and which we do want to solve are

likely to be of two types (3);

1. Opposite conditions ± conditions that

are mutually exclusive.

2. Different alternatives ± conditions

that preclude one another. Day and night are mutually

exclusive, more money or shorter

hours are different alternatives.

The apparent conflicts that do arise

and which we do want to solve are

likely to be of two types (3);

1. Opposite conditions ± conditions that

are mutually exclusive.

2. Different alternatives ± conditions

that preclude one another. Day and night are mutually

exclusive, more money or shorter

hours are different alternatives.



We have been using clouds fairly

liberally throughout all life. This

should help to underline their

intuitive nature.

We might use a cloud for everyday

³free-standing´ conflicts or

dilemmas, or as a tool to resolve thecore problem or core conflict made

apparent as a result of the

construction of a current reality tree.

We have been using clouds fairly

liberally throughout all life. This

should help to underline their

intuitive nature.

We might use a cloud for everyday

³free-standing´ conflicts or

dilemmas, or as a tool to resolve thecore problem or core conflict made

apparent as a result of the

construction of a current reality tree.



You can learn to do clouds on the

back of a piece of paper or in you

head.

Such a skill can be a formidable

advantage to the user.

The key point, however, is that you

must want to solve your problem or

dilemma. Without the will to solve

the problem, the way to do it won¶t

be apparent at all.

You can learn to do clouds on the

back of a piece of paper or in you

head.

Such a skill can be a formidable

advantage to the user.

The key point, however, is that you

must want to solve your problem or

dilemma. Without the will to solve

the problem, the way to do it won¶t

be apparent at all.



Countermeasures And

Injections

Countermeasures And

Injections

The cloud is the tool of choice in

seeking to obtain understanding

and agreement on the nature of the

core problem or core conflict,

especially the unstated assumptions

that give rise to the problem.

This is often described as the³direction of the problem.´

The cloud is the tool of choice in

seeking to obtain understanding

and agreement on the nature of the

core problem or core conflict,

especially the unstated assumptions

that give rise to the problem.

This is often described as the³direction of the problem.´



Breaking the cloud by developing an

injection builds understanding and

agreement on the ³direction of the

solution´ to the problem at hand.

An injection is any new idea that we

introduce into our current reality to

produce a new and desirableoutcome.

Breaking the cloud by developing an

injection builds understanding and

agreement on the ³direction of the

solution´ to the problem at hand.

An injection is any new idea that we

introduce into our current reality to

produce a new and desirableoutcome.



On the previous page we saw how

Taiichi Ohno used the 5 whys

method to drill down to the core

problem ³Otherwise,

countermeasures cannot be taken

and problems will not be truly

solved (4).´ The countermeasures were his

³injection.´

On the previous page we saw how

Taiichi Ohno used the 5 whys

method to drill down to the core

problem ³Otherwise,

countermeasures cannot be taken

and problems will not be truly

solved (4).´ The countermeasures were his

³injection.´



However, countermeasures are

limited conceptually to mitigating a

currently undesirable effect by

removal or replacement with

something else.

Injections go one step further ± they

may in fact create a totally new anddesirable step as well as mitigating

the currently undesirable effect.

However, countermeasures are

limited conceptually to mitigating a

currently undesirable effect by

removal or replacement with

something else.

Injections go one step further ± they

may in fact create a totally new anddesirable step as well as mitigating

the currently undesirable effect.



If the word ³injection´ doesn¶t do it

for you, think ³countermeasure´ for

the moment until you are more

familiar with the concept of clouds.

Think of clouds armed with

countermeasures as formidable

weaponry.

If the word ³injection´ doesn¶t do it

for you, think ³countermeasure´ for

the moment until you are more

familiar with the concept of clouds.

Think of clouds armed with

countermeasures as formidable

weaponry.



This is what we wrote;

1) We don¶t agree about the extent or

nature of the problem.

2) We don¶t agree about the direction or

completeness of the solution.

3) We can see additional negative

outcomes.4) We can see real obstacles.

5) We doubt the collaboration of others.

This is what we wrote;

1) We don¶t agree about the extent or

nature of the problem.

2) We don¶t agree about the direction or


3) We can see additional negative

outcomes.4) We can see real obstacles.

5) We doubt the collaboration of others.



We discussed the subdivision of

layers 1 & 2 in more detail in the

page called ³more layers´ accessed

off the agreement to change page.

In essence we can subdivide layers

1 & 2 into two based upon Senge¶s

differentiation of detail and dynamiccomplexity;

We discussed the subdivision of

layers 1 & 2 in more detail in the

page called ³more layers´ accessed

off the agreement to change page.

In essence we can subdivide layers

1 & 2 into two based upon Senge¶s

differentiation of detail and dynamiccomplexity;



a) 1a) We don¶t agree about the extent of

the problem ± detail complexity.

b) 1B)We don¶t agree about the nature of

the problem ± dynamic complexity. 2a) We don¶t agree about the direction of

the solution ± dynamic complexity.

2b) We don¶t agree about the

completeness of the solution ± detailcomplexity.

a) 1a) We don¶t agree about the extent of

the problem ± detail complexity.

b) 1B)We don¶t agree about the nature of

the problem ± dynamic complexity. 2a) We don¶t agree about the direction of

the solution ± dynamic complexity.

2b) We don¶t agree about the

completeness of the solution ± detailcomplexity.



The current reality tree addresses

the detail complexity of the extent of

the problem.

The future reality tree addresses the

detail complexity of the


The cloud, however, addresses boththe nature of the problem and the

direction of the solution.

The current reality tree addresses

the detail complexity of the extent of

the problem.

The future reality tree addresses the

detail complexity of the


The cloud, however, addresses boththe nature of the problem and the

direction of the solution.



As such it is a transitional tool or a

pivot in the whole process.

If we accept that there are twodistinct phases to the cloud it is

much easier to understand.

We can draw a simple model of this

situation.

As such it is a transitional tool or a

pivot in the whole process.

If we accept that there are twodistinct phases to the cloud it is

much easier to understand.

We can draw a simple model of this

situation.



holahola



The sequence; what to change ±

what to change to, is drawn as a

closed loop ± a process of on-going

improvement.

Essentially it is a decision loop

addressing the problem and the

solution without going into thedetail of executing the solution.

We can see that the cloud is the

pivotal part of this construction.

The sequence; what to change ±

what to change to, is drawn as a

closed loop ± a process of on-going

improvement.

Essentially it is a decision loop

addressing the problem and the

solution without going into thedetail of executing the solution.

We can see that the cloud is the

pivotal part of this construction.

a guide to implementing the theory of constraints

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