Over the years, I have read a variety of books; among which, I read a series of novels of manufacturing. I found that it is easy to understand the principles/theories when it is being told through a story, namely, the Theory of Constraint (TOC) and the Lean Manufacturing. The following is a booklist I like most and help build my working philosophy.
- The Goal (TOC)
- It’s not luck (TOC)
- Necessary but not sufficient (TOC)
- Isn’t it obvious (TOC)
- Critical Chain (TOC)
- The Choice (TOC)
- The Haystack Syndrome (TOC)
- Epiphanized (TOC/Lean/Six Sigma)
- Focus and Leverage (TOC/Lean/Six Sigma)
- Gold Mine (Lean Manufacturing)
- The Lean Manager (Lean Manufacturing)
- Lead with Respect (Lean Manufacturing)
- Velocity (TOC/Lean/Six Sigma)
- The Ice Cream Maker (Lean Manufacturing)
- Back to Basic (Lean Manufacturing)
- The Phoenix Project (TOC/Lean/Six Sigma)
The stories framework is not just on manufacturing but also on service provider; the type of industries is not just on automotive but also other consumer goods. What matters is the principles; that means, the principles are unified and could be applicable to different type of industries and even service industries. I read them all and come to realize that the critical is the mindset of the incumbent. Change your mind and change your world. There is always room for improvement and it will be the people who matters most after all. One may need to subordinate the constraint and the other parallel constraint is the mindset of the people. Agree?
Dick Lam's Blog 