Title: The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement – 30th Anniversary Edition
Author: Eliyahu M. Goldratt
First published January 1, 1984
407 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780884271956 (ISBN10: 0884271951)
Rating: 4.08
Overview
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement – 30th Anniversary Edition by Eliyahu M. Goldratt is a page-turning novel that has transformed the way managers think about improving performance.
Alex Rogo, a plant manager, is in a race against time to save his factory from closure and save hundreds of jobs. With the help of a chance meeting with a former professor, Jonah, Alex is forced to challenge conventional thinking and find new ways to reach his goal.
The story is not only captivating but also contains a serious message for all managers in the industry. It explains the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and provides a deep understanding of the underlying rules of our environment to identify breakthroughs.
The Goal has become a must-read for managers and is included in many management school curriculums. It has been called “required reading for Amazon’s management” and has been credited with inspiring readers to do the best work of their lives.
About the Author
Eliyahu M. Goldratt was a man of many talents – educator, author, physicist, philosopher, and business leader.
But above all, he was a thinker who challenged others to think differently. He was known for his unconventional approach and his ability to shake up old ways of doing things, urging people to reexamine their business practices with fresh eyes.
Goldratt is perhaps best known as the creator of the Theory of Constraints (TOC), a methodology for continuous improvement that identifies and leverages a system’s constraints to achieve its goals. He first introduced the concepts underlying TOC in his bestselling business novel, “The Goal,” which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and been translated into 35 languages.
Goldratt was widely regarded as a guru in the business world and a genius by many. He continued to develop the TOC framework throughout his life, adding tools like Drum-Buffer-Rope, Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM), and the Thinking Processes.
He wrote ten other books on the subject, including four more business novels.
Goldratt was born in Israel in 1947 and earned degrees from Tel Aviv University and Bar-Ilan University. He founded TOC for Education, a nonprofit organization that aims to bring TOC thinking and tools to teachers and students, as well as Goldratt Consulting.
In addition to his work in business and education, Goldratt held patents in several fields, including medical devices, drip irrigation, and temperature sensors. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 64.
Editoral Review
Eliyahu M. Goldratt’s “The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement” is a timeless classic that has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
This management book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how to improve their manufacturing processes.
Goldratt’s book is written in a conversational style that makes it easy to read and understand. He uses a fictional story to explain the concepts of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and how to apply it to improve the manufacturing process.
The book follows the journey of Alex Rogo, a plant manager at a fictional manufacturing plant, as he struggles to turn around his failing operation.
The setting of the book is a manufacturing plant, but the themes are universal. The book is about problem-solving, continuous improvement, and the importance of focusing on the most critical issues.
These themes apply to any business or organization that wants to improve its processes and achieve success.
One of the strengths of the book is the way it uses storytelling to explain complex concepts. Goldratt’s characters are relatable, and their struggles are understandable.
This approach makes the concepts of TOC more accessible and easier to understand.
Another strength of the book is the practicality of the advice it offers. Goldratt’s approach is not theoretical but based on his experience working with real manufacturing plants.
He provides practical advice that can be applied to any manufacturing operation.
The book’s weaknesses are few, but some readers may find the fictional story distracting. However, the story is necessary to illustrate the TOC concepts, so it is a minor issue.
Overall, “The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement” is a must-read for anyone in management, operations, or manufacturing. The book is engaging, practical, and provides valuable insights into how to improve processes and achieve success.
The 30th-anniversary edition also includes updated examples and case studies, making it even more relevant today.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their manufacturing processes or learn more about the Theory of Constraints. It is a valuable resource that will benefit anyone in a management or leadership role.
Therefore, I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
