[If you haven’t read the original version of The Goal – it’s a better book. Here’s a chapter-by-chapter video summary, and a <60 second summary too.]

[Click here for a 60 second video summary of the first 8 chapters of Goldratt’s rules of flow.]

In Marc’s MBA class, Professor Rick helps the students understand the negative impact of multi-tasking, how it causes delays on projects, and ways to unfreeze their flow of execution.

Good Writing, Quotes

“Reviewing your homework,” he [Rick] opens up, “there is a consensus that multitasking is a necessary evil.” – Page 39

“Rick turns to the whiteboard and starts drawing.” He illustrates three projects done in sequence in two ways; one project-by-project, the other where the projects are chopped up – Page 40

Rick wants to make sure everyone got the point. “The major factor that impacts the lead time is the number of projects we multitask between. The more projects in the mix the longer the lead time.” Rick is effectively highlighting the change-over times between projects, as well as their interdependence on resources – Page 41

“It often happens that when we come back to a project we haven’t worked on for a while, instead of digging into what was done before, we opt to start over.” Rick on Page 42

“This is why I refer to multitasking as the biggest killer of time.” Rick, Page 42

“You bring a new one in only after you have completed one of the projects that you already started.” Rick, Page 43

“Some companies start by freezing twenty to thirty percent of their projects.” Rick, Page 44. Ice, thawing and flow…

“What’s important is to control WIP on an ongoing basis. To see to it that the flow of projects going through your system is fast and efficient.” Rick, Page 45 – the second sentence is not a complete sentence

“To improve the flow, we need to control the work in process we deal with at any given time.” – Page 46