About this Presentation
This presentation provides an overview of the content of the theory of constraints supply chain logistics management examination. The workshop organization is an Introduction and Session Review; Operations the TOC Way; Using TOC to analyze Operations; Distribution the TOC Way; Using TOC to analyze Distribution and Insights and Questions. The objectives of the operations section include: Demonstrate understanding of the TOC Operations solution. Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) and Buffer Management with Lean/Just-in-Time (JIT) and Material Requirements Planning. Can effectively compare and contrast conventional rules and practices (i.e. process layout, capacity, scheduling of work and control metrics) with those of DBR and Buffer Management, along with an explanation of the impact of each on the operational and financial measures of performance. Demonstrates ability to apply the solution in the four possible plant types (VATI). Understands when Critical Chain should be applied in a plant instead of DBR. What to change, to what to change and how to cause the change are discussed with respect to operations and supply chains.
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.
This workshop gives participants a structured review of the TOC supply chain logistics body of knowledge, connecting operations, distribution, and analysis into one coherent exam-prep framework rather than a set of isolated concepts.
A major takeaway is that the review goes beyond definitions and compares TOC logistics solutions directly with conventional approaches such as Lean/JIT and MRP, especially around layout, capacity, scheduling, and control metrics.
The session appears especially valuable for practitioners because it emphasizes application, including how to analyze operations and distribution environments, how DBR and buffer management differ from traditional rules, and when Critical Chain should be used instead of DBR.
The workshop also reinforces TOC as a complete improvement logic by tying logistics back to the three core questions of change: what to change, what to change to, and how to cause the change in both operations and supply chains.
Instructor(s)
Dr. Lisa Anne Ferguson
Dr. Lisa Ferguson's goal in life is to illuminate the way to utopia for individuals, organizations, and the rest of society. Our strategies and tactics are based on using the Theory of Constraints (TOC), combined with other best practices to dramatically improve strategic planning and execution, retail, education, healthcare and the health/happiness/success of individuals with a holistic approach. TOC was founded by Dr. Eli Goldratt to achieve his goal in life of teaching the world to think. For a decade, Dr. Ferguson was a full-time professor of operations management before resigning to teach for The Goldratt Group full-time training consultants (both TOC experts and Supply Chain Logistics implementers). Next, Dr. Lisa Ferguson spent a year (2007 – 2008) working as the apprentice to best-selling author and business guru, Eliyahu M. Goldratt as he trained her to become an even more successful writer and speaker, while further developing her TOC expertise. Her service on the TOCICO Board of Directors in an elected, unpaid position is from 2008 – 2011 and 2020 – 2021. Professor Ferguson is the author of the chapter on Strategy and Tactic Trees in The Theory of Constraints Handbook. Dr. Ferguson began teaching online classes for Illuminutopia in 2010. She is a published author (as well as an editor) and consultant with experience guiding Fortune 100 companies down through small businesses.