Introduction
The Theory of Constraints (TOC) is based on the principles of process thinking and is one of the most effective process improvement methods. It helps to identify and investigate process issues and critical parameters for performance. In my personal experience, I have used the Theory of Constraints to improve the process in one of the companies where I worked.
Company Description
The company is engaged in the production of continuous mass solutions for businesses and individual customers. The working process consisted of setting up products in batches, after which the workers manufactured them and delivered them to the consumer (Pacheco et al., 2019). For many years, the process was poorly organized and took a long time to complete.
Theory Application
To improve the process, we applied the Theory of Constraints. The initial research showed that the biggest constraint in the process was the time required for product manufacturing. The tested data showed that the main cause of the delay was the lack of sufficient equipment for production. So, we had to invest in buying new equipment to increase productivity (Pacheco et al., 2019). Other problems we found were related to poor product quality and unstable staff performance.
To solve these problems, we applied the principles of the theory of constraints. We optimized the process of product placement and used a more thoughtful training program for employees. We also changed the production process and updated the equipment (Pacheco et al., 2019). As a result of these changes, the workflow became much more productive, which allowed us to increase productivity several times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that the Theory of Constraints really helped our company to improve the production process. It allowed us to properly assess the causes of process problems and make decisions on their elimination. As a result of these changes, the production process became much more productive and efficient.
Reference
Pacheco, D. A. D. J., Pergher, I., Antunes Junior, J. A. V., & Roehe Vaccaro, G. L. (2019). Exploring the integration between Lean and the Theory of Constraints in Operations Management. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 10(3), 718-742.