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The Theory Of Constraints Of Lean Thinking

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ABSTRACT In the modern manufacturing world, its nature and functioning have become very complicated due to increasing competition, increasing cost, decreasing profit margins and economic instability. Hence, manufacturers strive hard to obtain maximum output with the available input in order to ensure the optimum utilization of scarce resources. This includes measuring the value of inputs against the value of outputs which implies, matching cost per unit of production against the value of output or selling price. There have been a number of practices implemented over time that includes statistical process control (SPC), Theory of Constraints (TOC), Just-in-Time inventory management (JIT), Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, and Total Preventive Maintenance (TPM). Each of these has made a marginal contribution to the mindset of continuous process improvement. Rather than evaluated as separate initiatives, more recently these techniques have been recognized as a set of tools that work together in support of what is rapidly becoming the dominant paradigm in manufacturing – Lean thinking. Although the principles of lean can be dated back to the early 1900’s with Henry Ford’s development of the assembly line production, it was Kiichiro Toyoda, researching Ford’s innovation, adapted the process and further streamlining it in Toyota’s automobile manufacturing company that came up with what is now known today as the Toyota Production System. A disciplined, process-focused

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