Used from Boardrooms to Kindergarten Mechanism for no-compromise, win/win solutions Leads to outside-the-box solutions, methodically |
The Evaporating Cloud is the perfect tool to use when you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, damned if you do and damned if you don't
This is one of those tools that, after you develop some proficiency, you cannot imagine not having in your arsenal.
There are many variations of the Evaporating Cloud, all with mostly subtle differences, but the heart of the technique is identical; this is one of the Theory of Constraints most common tools in practice, even taught in Kindergarten in some parts of the world!
There are innumerable situations inside any business where someone is placed in a lose/lose situation, aka being between a rock and a hard place, or, in a "damned if I do, damned if I don't" dilemma. For example, a scheduler: on the one hand he or she wants to schedule the plant to provide good resource efficiencies; which tends to call for few set-ups and big production batches. On the other hand, he or she wants to schedule the plant in such a way that customer orders are met on time; and this often calls for smaller batches and more set-ups. Since these two "call for's" are contrary to each other, the scheduler faces a conflict; do one, do the other, do one for a while then do the other for a while when the shouting gets too loud, or ... compromise. This last idea is the most common. The outcome? Unsatisfactory efficiencies, unsatisfactory service levels, and a well-kicked ass.
Similar dilemmas can be described for hold inventory/don't hold inventory. Ship on time or maintain quality standards. And literally hundreds of other such situations. These situations aren't unique to a Theory of Constraints user, of course; these are simply day-to-day tugs of war.
The Evaporating Cloud is a tool that gives managers the ability to construct a solution that has no compromise whatsoever; that ALWAYS provides a win/win.
| Recommended: If you want to learn more on this topic.. Unless you are willing to commit to a workshop with a TOC Expert, you cannot beat the educational material developed by Eli Goldratt, the originator of the Theory of Constraints. He is an amazing teacher. The 8 Videos in his Satellite Program are a best-buy for a company, intended for use by groups of employees. His provocative coverage of every industrial application of TOC challenges managers to think in new directions, and to recognize the sacred cows in their organization and their own thinking. The 16-CD Self Learning Program is extracted from the same material but intended for use by individuals on their own PCs, rather than groups. The TOC Insights is a new interactive PC-based tool for individuals. As a TOC Expert I thought they were too "cute" ... until I used them with clients. They proved to be highly effective learning tools for the 5 major applications, and the Distribution and Supply Chain solution is documented in detail here for the first time anywhere. |
Planned: a Monthly TOC EZine This EZine is intended to be 100% practical, offering tips, advice and illustrations of users' experiences with the different TOC applications. TOC Experts with practical suggestions to real problems encountered with clients will also contribute. The EZine will promote the use of TOC in combination with other technologies, for improved results. We will be taking subscriptions soon. |
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