About this Presentation
Theory of Constraints has made two unique contributions to operations and project management. Firstly, that you cannot ignore system constraint(s) when making commitments and decisions. Secondly, how you consider system constraints, especially capacity constraints can make a BIG difference. How you consider constraints mean how we use knowledge of internal and external constraint(s) to control the release of work, to allocate capacity, to prioritize work, to achieve ongoing improvement. In this presentation, Dr. Barnard will use a simple Project Example to firstly show the main reason WHY most traditional planning and execution methods like Critical Path do not consider constraints within making commitments and decisions (it is not because of ignorance) and WHAT the major negative consequences of assuming Enough resources can have. And secondly, with this simple example, Dr. Barnard will show how much of a difference it can make on HOW we consider capacity constraints when we resolve resource contention. We can resolve resource contention with forward vs. backward scheduling and can also with different prioritization mechanisms when we do it. How much of a difference can the HOW make? The results are both shocking and exciting.
What Will You Learn
To help you get the most value from this session, we’ve highlighted a few key points. These takeaways capture the main ideas and practical insights from the presentation, making it easier for you to review, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
Learn how Theory of Constraints (TOC) contributes uniquely to project management by shifting focus from local task optimization to system flow and the constraint that limits overall project throughput.
Understand why traditional project methods often fail to deliver predictable results because they overlook resource contention and the dynamic interaction of tasks around the constraint.
See how TOC principles — such as buffer placement, resource focus, and pragmatic execution rules — create practical mechanisms for increasing reliability and reducing lead time.
Gain insight into how integrating TOC thinking with project governance and decision-making helps teams make better trade-offs and maintain focus on what truly drives project success.
Instructor(s)
Dr Alan Barnard
Dr. Alan Barnard is a leading decision scientist and Theory of Constraints (TOC) expert with almost 20 years of experience working directly with Dr. Eli Goldratt, the creator of TOC. As the CEO of Goldratt Research Labs (USA), Alan focuses on using advanced technologies and decision sciences to develop Apps and Decision Support methods, enabling organizations to achieve more with less time. Under his leadership, Goldratt Research Labs has collaborated on innovation and research projects with renowned Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Cargill, BHP, Tata Steel, Amazon, and others, along with public sector organizations like Utah Governor's Office and UN WFP. Alan has held prominent roles in various organizations, including past-President of the South African Supply Chain Society SAPICS and past-President of TOCICO. His significant contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards, including inclusion in the 2020 Marquis Who's Who Global Listing, membership in the Forbes Technology Council, and the TOCICO Lifetime Achievement Award. He is an accomplished author and frequent presenter on Decision Making in a Complex World and Theory of Constraints at international conferences. Alan's latest book, "The Bottleneck - How to resolve our attention crisis," is currently in progress. As the chief architect of the award-winning HARMONY Decision Maker, Change Simulator, and Change Maker series of Decision Support Apps, Alan continues to shape the landscape of decision science and TOC. Please let me know if you need any further information or details.