TOC-based performance measures and five focusing steps in a job-shop manufacturing environment

Abstract

Theory of constraints (TOC) views a company as a set of interdependent processes working in harmony to achieve the profit goal of the company as a whole, and thus it emphasizes total system performance over localized measures to guide operational decisions. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of employing TOCbased global performance measures to make operational-decisions (e.g. product mix, continuous improvement, inventory management, production planning and scheduling) to strengthen the internal supply chain in a relatively complex manufacturing environment, i.e. a job shop. An ARENA-based simulation model is presented and a number of scenarios are discussed that provide insights regarding the characteristic features of TOC, such as goals and necessary conditions, performance measures, five-focusing steps for continuous improvement, and drumbuffer-rope scheduling. These insights will assist managers in making important decisions regarding approaches to successful TOC implementations, and will provide academics with a broad range of future research opportunities.