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~ CRITICAL CHAIN PROJECT MANAGEMENT: We are pleased to announce that we are now able to supply Critical Chain "CCPM+" software from Advanced Projects in the USA to clients in the UK. Advanced Projects' President, Larry Leach, is a longstanding colleague and friend and we are delighted to be able to create this new partnership. Larry has written a number of key books in this field and is a highly capable project professional, with many successful implementations to his credit.
The fee for the CCPM+ is £ 350 (ex VAT) for each licence. We are of course able to provide the necessary training in both Critical Chain Project Management and the use of the CCPM+ software, to ensure that great results are achieved.
If you would like to learn more about CCPM+, please contact Ted Hutchin.

~ LEAN-FLOW: Our systems solution designed specifically for the Accident and Repair industry is going from strength to strength. Lean-Flow combines web-based software, a detailed and robust implementation plan and training for all key staff.

Fleet Suport Group has recently announced that that of their 115 bodyshops, the 10 that have implemented Lean-Flow are getting vehicles back on the road faster than anyone else - leading to reduced administration costs and increased customer satisfaction. Click here to read the whole article, as reported in the ABP Club Newsletter.

To find out more about Lean-Flow, please click here.

~ RECENT & ONGOING WORK: We have been successful in continuing our relationship with ITP Engines UK Ltd in supporting their Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) implementation, coupled with Replenishment. We have also been active with them in the development of Critical Chain Project Management within Engineering/New Product Development and the creation of a new Quality Engineering function. This will be an on-going relationship throughout 2010 and reflects the strength of the partnership.

We have started a new project with Paddock Fabrications, situated in the West Midlands, to introduce simplified DBR and Replenishment and to develop with them an internal capability to both sustain and expand their business.

Our project in association with the National Skills Academy (NSA-M) for the Typhoon Eurofighter Support at RAF Coningsby continues to develop and we are running a series of intensive 10-day workshops focusing on the Theory of Constraints Thinking Processes and also the primary applications of DBR, Replenishment and Critical Chain Project Management, all centred around the MRO activity on the base.

~ MONTHLY SUPPORT: We know that many organisations would appreciate regular access to TOC-Lean expertise without having to make a large initial investment. We are therefore offering Business Support 'Bite Sized', whereby we visit your company one day a month to assist with leading and sustaining your projects, strategies and implementations.
Find out more here.

~ LEAN: We are pleased to announce the launch of our Lean Leaders Programme. The aim of the Programme is to develop within your organisation people who can both lead and sustain lean interventions and rapid improvement events.

This is a unique programme in that it is the only UK Lean Leader course to combine both Lean and TOC.
To find out more and discover just why this combination is so powerful, please click here.

~ HOSPITALS: With the current NHS spend under fierce pressure and the situation unlikely to change in the future, managing a hospital effectively has never been more important - or challenging.
TOC principles have been applied in hospital settings for some while now - with outstanding results. We offer senior NHS managers a variety of training programmes tailored specifically to their needs and drawing on our own experience of working within the NHS.
Further details can be found here.

~ TLS: We would like to announce the creation of a new 2-day TOC Lean Six Sigma Experts Workshop.
Aimed at Senior Managers, Lean and/or Six Sigma Belts and Operational Managers who are disatisfied with the results of their current Continuous Improvement projects, the workshop will show how TOC can give real focus to Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, resulting in greatly enhanced bottom-line results.
Please click here for more information.

~ CAR BODY REPAIR: Academy Group car repair bodyshop in Manchester has implemented our Lean-Flow Bodyshop Solution with outstanding results - 97% of cars are now completed on time, 98% of their customers say their service is "excellent" and the Solution created 17% additional capacity.
How does Lean-Flow achieve such results? - read this Case Study from Academy's managing director, Jason Mawdsley.

~ EXECUTIVE WORKSHOP: Also new is our Executive Decision Making Workshop, which is aimed at those who have implemented TOC applications and wish to maximise the benefits by proactively taking control of production capablilites and market opportunities. The Workshop comprises 3 days training plus 2 days of in-company support.
Further details can be found here.

~ BREAKING THE CASH CONSTRAINT: In times of recession, it often becomes imperative to streamline one's business operation and cut back on waste. It is precisely at times such as these - when belts are tight and nothing can be wasted - that the tools and techniques of TOC become even more important for implementing business improvements. TOC can make sure that you are not tightening your business belts because you’re getting thin and frail, but because you’re getting fit and healthy.
The Newsletter from our sister organisation, the TOC-Lean Institute, looks at these issues and introduces our 8-day intensive course, "Breaking the Cash Constraint", which is aimed at top managers and their teams.
Please click here to download the Newsletter.
Previous TOC-Lean Institute Newsletters can be viewed here

~ A DAY WITH JONAH! Those of you who have read Dr Goldratt's 'The Goal' will remember how Alex Rogo's old professor, Jonah, is instrumental in changing Alex's thinking, setting him on the path to success. Well, now you can have Jonah visit your own plant! We are offering the opportunity to have a TOC expert "troubleshooter" come to your company, to look at things with a fresh eye and ask questions - at times very searching questions - about how things are running and what could be done to make an improvement in your business operations. Click here to find out more.

~ Our LEAN-FLOW BODYSHOP SOLUTION is generating a great deal of interest within the car body repair industry. We are delighted to announce that two of the bodyshops we have been working with have achieved Gold and Bronze Lean-Flow membership status for their excellent process flow improvements.
Read the press releases here.
More information about the Lean-Flow Bodyshop Solution can be found here.

~ WHAT COULD 'THE GOAL' DO FOR YOU? We have launched a new 'Goal' on-site training package, aimed at bringing the Theory of Constraints fundamentals as set forth in Dr Eli Goldratt's book 'The Goal' right to the heart of your company. At £250 per morning or afternoon session (not per person), this is a great value opportunity. Please click here for more information.

~ NEW GOLDRATT BOOK: Dr Eli Goldratt published a new book last autumn. 'The Choice' reveals how it is possible, by examining causal relationships and removing root conflicts, to change the damaging yet prevailing mindset that assumes complex problems must require complex solutions. Click here to read a review.

~ 'GOAL' OVERVIEW: We have also added an in-depth overview of 'The Goal'. Join fictional plant manager Alex Rogo on his now famous journey to success here.

~ PATIENT FLOW: We have been engaged by a major NHS Hospital Trust to address the issues related to patient flow. This is in respect of meeting the national target of 18 week Referral to Treatment (RTT) and ensuring that the constraints to flow are properly addressed.

The unique 'process flow' principles of TOC - the Theory of Constraints - can be enormously beneficial when applied to both manufacturing and service industries where the efficient flow of goods, services - or people - is crucial to the success of the organisation.

Please contact us if you would like to find out more:
Telephone: 01664 502860
Email: tedh@constraintmanagement.co.uk