>>Would we find Goldratt's books ( I've read the Goal) in our local
bookstore.<<
You may be able to, chances are higher that you'll find them in a
university book store if you're near one. The publishe-r for all of his
books is North River Press in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. Phone #
800-486-2665.
>>I know Goldratt ( & Co.) have been around for years and have gone though
some changes. What has been learned?>>
Short version of the last decade or so of Goldratt-
It's been quite an evolution. What began as a challenge to the assumption
of infinite capacity in manufacturing MRP systems, Goldratt's journey then
led to challenging the assumptions behind cost accounting, which account
for the vast majority of any organization's policies and performance
measures (great at the time of their development early in the century,
devastating in the current world). As it turned out, these policies,
based in cost accounting and its underlying assumptions, were the key
obstacles to successful implementation of better manufacturing systems
(still are). The next leg of the journey brings us to today, and
Goldratt's System Thinking Processes, which he describes in Its Not Luck.
>> Does anyone know if Senge and Goldratt have collaborated or exchanged
views?>>
Don't think so, but do believe that powerful (in the good sense) knowledge
could come from such a collaboration, don't you? If any of you from IA
also think so, please contact me off-line, perhaps we can get the ball
rolling.
>>Host's Note: I've heard a rumor about a simulation game modeled after an
exercise that Alex Rogo did with the boy-scouts in _The Goal_... An
exercise involving pebbles.<<
"The Dice Game" is fully described in Shrinkanth & Umble's SYNCHRONOUS
MANUFACTURING. Not sure of the Publisher, but I know that it is available
through APICS (800-444-2742).
The Goldratt Institute licenses computer simulaion software which take the
dice game a step further into the worlds of manufacturing and distribution
(supply chain). There are over a hundred variations of a dozen or so
models in which optimization of the system, via recognition of
interdependent resources and statistical fluctuations. The TOC 5-step
process for system improvement is taught in a socratic fashion with the
simulation tool. My understanding is that the Goldratt Institute will not
license the software without the accompanying education -- it is quite
easy for the software to turn into a toy, and they want to ensure that the
knowledge exists in its licensees to keep it a teaching tool.
There are a couple of additional simulations and games on the market
devoted to Goldratt's constraint management philosophy.
Galt Management in Dallas, Texas, offers a game that simulates a
manufacturing company that manufactures and assembles poker chips. It
comes complete with instructor manual and all needed components.
Technology Systems Corporation in Bethlehem, Pa., offers its Summit
educational software, which is a simulation type teaching tool similar to
Goldratt's. TSC also offers an executive simulation package, which
enables teams to test various strategic and tactical methodologies on a
simulated enterprise, and see the effects of those decisions not only on
the enterprise, but on other links in the supply chain as well.
FYI, The Goldratt simulators are DOS based, TSC's Summit is available in
DOS and Windows versions, and their executive system is available in DOS
but emulates windows. None of the above are available for Mac's.
Respectfully,
Lisa Scheinkopf
InSync Solutions
(602) 940-1133
fax (602) 940-1155
Compuserve: 73314,3477
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Host's Note: Thanks, Lisa. I'm not aware of any Senge - Goldratt
collaboration, but I find their ideas complementary and compatable.
Note: In LISA's message, I assume "IA" refers to Innovation Associates,
of which I am a member.
-- Rick Karash, rkarash@world.std.com, host for learning-org
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