Current reality tree

About: Current reality tree is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 58 publications have been published within this topic receiving 674 citations.

Root Cause Analysis: A Framework for Tool Selection

Abstract: This article provides a framework for analyzing the performance of three popular root cause analysis tools: the cause-and-effect diagram, the interrelationship diagram, and the current reality tree...

Implementing theory of constraints in a traditional Japanese manufacturing environment: The case of Hitachi Tool Engineering

Abstract: This research presents a case study of a virtual ‘textbook’ application of the theory of constraints (TOC) in a Japanese tool manufacturing company. Hitachi Tool Engineering uses state-of-the-art technology to design and manufacture cutting tools known as End-mills. The plant described in this study is a classic V-plant and exhibited all of the standard problems of a traditionally managed V-plant, existing within the unique framework of Japanese work culture. Plant management applied the five focusing steps and used the operations strategy tools, including drum-buffer-rope and buffer management, to improve the system. Following the approach recommended by Eli Goldratt, the thinking process tools of current reality tree and evaporating clouds were used to help identify and resolve problems when the implementation encountered major obstacles. While the implementation was a huge success, the devastating effect of a core problem being left unresolved is well documented. The implementation generated significan...

Focused Operations Management for Health Services Organizations

Abstract: Figures and Tables. Foreword (Donald M. Berwick). Preface. About the Authors. PART ONE: THE DYNAMIC HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT. 1. The Modern Health Care and Business Environment. 2. Principles of Management in a Dynamic Environment. 3. The Pareto Rule, Focusing Table, and Focusing Matrix. PART TWO: NOVEL MANAGEMENT APPROACHES. 4. Management by Constraints: The Focusing Steps of the Theory of Constraints. 5. Management by Constraints in a Bottleneck Environment. 6. Management by Constraints When the Market Is the Constraint. 7. Focused Current Reality Tree. 8. Resolving Managerial Conflicts. 9. The Efficiencies Syndrome. 10. The Evils of Long Response Times. 11. Reducing Response Times. 12. The Complete Kit Concept. 13. Performance Measures and Managerial Control. 14. Effects of Fluctuations, Variability, and Uncertainty on the System. 15. The Evils of Traditional Cost Accounting. 16. Marketing, Costing, and Pricing Considerations in Decision-Making Processes. 17. Quality Management and Process Control. PART THREE: STRATEGY AND VALUE CREATION. 18. Creating Value for Health Care Organizations. PART FOUR: SUMMARY. 19. Case Study: The Emergency Department at Guard Mountain Hospital. 20. Our Managerial Credo. References. Index.

A process improvement approach based on the Value Stream Mapping and the Theory of Constraints Thinking Process

Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to present a case of integration between the processes modeling by using the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and the Thinking Process of the Theory of Constraints (TP-TOC) through the analysis of productive processes of an organization, indicating the complementary aspects between them and their benefits to the organization. , – The paper uses a company of the Brazilian automotive industry as the administering site. The research began by identifying the organization's processes and choice of a family of products to model according to the VSM approach. The integrated view between the losses in the process (VSM) and the unwanted effects of the adding value process were analyzed by using the Current Reality Tree. After the analysis, different improvement procedures are proposed based on the lean principles. Finally, a work plan is presented based on the previous steps aiming to achieve the proposed future state. , – The analysis of this case helps to understand and identify the causes of the current problems in the processes studied, providing an integrated view between the losses in the process and the prioritization of steps for the elimination of such losses. The approach in its initial administration was robust and the solution steps were promising. By integrating these approaches, it was possible to verify improvement opportunities by identifying the losses and the basic causes that sustain the unwanted effects in the processes at the same time. , – The study proposes an approach that enables a systematic and systemic analysis of the processes at organizations through the combined use of process modeling through the VSM and TP-TOC. Simultaneously, the losses in the processes and the unwanted effects are identified. Thus, through the construction of an effect-cause-effect robust logic, both losses in particular and the unwanted effects in general can be prioritized in order to maximize the improvement efforts in the processes.

Service process analysis using process engineering and the theory of constraints thinking process

Abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to present a case of integration between process engineering and the thinking process of the theory of constraints (TP‐TOC) through the analysis of an organization's processes, pointing out the complementary aspects between the two theories and their benefits for the organization.Design/methodology/approach – The paper has used an Institution of Higher Education as its case study. The research has started by identifying the processes of the institution and choosing one to model according to the process engineering approach. The process was then analyzed through the elaboration of the current reality tree technique. After the analysis, the evaporating clouds technique was applied in order to breach the assumptions that were avoiding the problems to be solved. Finally, the process has been redesigned based on the results of the previous steps.Findings – The analysis of this case contributes towards understanding and identifying the causes of the current problems in the studied proce...