Enhancing product flow using Theory of constraints and Lean methodology
Ganapathy Maletira
Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to give an idea about how the production of a company can be enhanced using various methodologies like Theory of constraints and Lean manufacturing. It also talks about the overlapping of Toc and Lean With agile manufacturing and the integration of Toc, Lean and Six sigma in the conclusion. Keywords: Theory of constraints, Lean, Agile, Six Sigma
INTRODUCTION
The world is growing leaps and bounds when it comes to business compared to the previous years and it continues to see this growth in the future years. Globalisation has played a major role in all walks of life including business. Due to globalisation there are more and more players emerging in the market which has resulted in the globe becoming smaller and smaller, when it comes to business. The competition in the worldwide market is really intense which asks for the companies to be way better than their competitors. The companies in today’s world really have to fight it out really hard to have a good standing in the market against their competitors. They should always work towards retaining their customers or else their customers will change their preferences which will in turn result in the company losing their market share and the competitive edge. The companies should always come up with some good strategies to stay on par with their
Production practices have had an important role in satisfying the dynamic market. Many approaches have being developed in order to respond effectively to specific business requirements. In fact, some areas of management have focused its study on the overseeing, designing, and controlling the process of production in an effort to find the best methodology that ensures the business success and performance. However, complexities arise in this field because many variables such as costs, inventory, scheduling, suppliers, etc have to be considered in any business. Lean approach and the traditional approach are two points of view that aim to address this complexities, and those will be examined in this essay.
One frequently asked question in business today that is least answered is, as stated by David Chaudron, PhD (2003), “What can we do to make our business flourish, survive and grow?” With the rapid changes in technology and the rise in the globalization of markets, we must have a game plan in place for adjusting to these changes. It has become increasingly difficult to predict what is going to happen, and there are thousands of obstacles and opportunities along the way. To add to the confusion, there are thousands of products, solutions and methods for dealing with these changes. With many brands, sizes and varieties it is very difficult to choose what is best for your organization. Add to that,
Due to the growing competition and diminishing market share, companies are opting for different strategies to achieve their survival objectives as well as growth. Companies are thus executing grand strategies to provide their businesses with a clear direction for its strategic actions. These strategies, therefore, aim at both short term and long term sustainability and growth, and they include innovation, market development, product development, and concentration.
The business world is becoming increasingly global. As a result of this, many companies, such as Costa Coffee and Dyson, have changed their strategies in relation to the markets they target or where they produce. Does the increasingly global nature of business mean that all organisations need to change their strategies significantly to achieve higher profits? Justify your answer with reference to Costa Coffee, Dyson and/or other organisations that you know.
Discuss the strategic decisions that firms in this sector may be facing. What future strategies can firms pursue to try to secure their competitive advantage and long term survival?
In today’s highly competitive market, the continuous changes that are occurring in the social, politic and economic environment create serious challenges in the corporate world. Corporations cannot afford to do business as usual if they want to remain in the game and be successful. In order to achieve their goals and objectives, they need to evolve, adapt, learn and apply different new strategies that will help them secure long-run success and performance. Among those strategies, we are going to discuss ten of them and their advantages in connection with corporation’s goals and objectives.
Leading company staff in thinking bigger, operating in direct relationship to customers and stockholders’ needs, while staying flexible and adaptable to economic and market shifts ( Gaddy, p.171)” are all examples of priorities faced by companies that want to be competitive .
Businesses continually adapt to a changing environment to maintain their market position (Appelbaum, Habashy, Malo, & Shafiq, 2012; Biedenbacha & Soumlderholma, 2008). Change is inevitable considering the current rate of technological advancement and the growth in global competition (Appelbaum et al., 2012; Armenakis & Harris, 2009; By, 2007). Increasing competition and the need for strategic flexibility and globalization is affecting almost every organization today, regardless of size, market, focus, and so on (Jaros, 2010).
Furthermore, in today’s fast-paced environment these strategies still hold true, as smaller companies have more opportunities to compete internationally, because of newer technologies, like the Internet, that allow companies to directly and expedition communicate with their targeted audience. Additionally, understanding the marketplace permits companies to obtain the knowledge to create future strategies to keep their businesses operational and thriving in a rapidly changing
The purpose of this report is to understand what a big successful firm should apply and do in a well fast developed world to facelift and revamp itself over time and to win over any crisis. Strategic planning, innovation & managing change are the keys most of the companies in the commercial world embrace.
This essay is going to analyze a case study based on lean thinking principles and techniques. It is could divide in four significant parts. First, to outline the definitions of Lean manufacturing philosophy and applied the strategies to achieving, next create future state Value Stream Map, Furthermore justification Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques, which would appropriate, and critically discussed the key successful should his idea to the Evenort Company.
The Industry of Industries in Transition. they look through the history of the automobile manufacturing by spelling out Henry Ford and Alfred Sloan, who left behind the old-fashioned type of production, craft production, and began a new age of the world manufacture with mass production. Also, they mention about Eiji Toyoda and Taiichi Ohno, who initially started the conception, “lean production”, which, nowadays, has been seeking by manufacturers of all kinds of industries on over the world. In addition, the writers provide a quick view in the comparison among craft production, mass production, and lean production in which they point out the drawbacks of craft production, the obstacles of mass production, and the advantages of lean production. The authors emphasize that no lean manufacturer has ever reached the ideal target of lean production, but they will continuously attempt to gain the perfections of lean production. This section, additionally, represents the impact of lean production on the professional careers and the working conditions of
According to Michael Porter, “a company strategist who understands that competition extends well beyond existing rivals will detect wider competitive threats and be better equipped to address them” (Porter, 2008, p.16). Thinking comprehensively about the structure of the industry as well as its customers can afford companies the ability to obtain superior performance. Therefore, it is key for companies to focus on how to maintain existing customers as well as lure new ones.
We see drastic changes in the world: the transition process from an industrial to a postindustrial economy has restructured everything. Such rearrangement of economic and social power is influencing society as well as business. The new market prevailing under globalization has changed the nature of business and the old ways of doing business no longer work. Only a worldwide corporation can adapt to this powerful socio-economic megatrend.
The world offers significant business opportunities for every company, however, opportunities are accompanied by significant challenges for managers. Managing global operations across diverse cultures and markets represents a big challenge and opportunity for companies. To compete in the global market and be successful, companies must learn the strategies, policies, norms and technology necessary to conduct international business. The opportunities for global expansion are numerous, and attaining success is a matter of developing the right strategy to win local markets and its consumers.