[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.]

Pages 61 – 66

Isaac, Marc’s father, hears from a customer that the company’s approach to projects is changing. He meets with Isaac to learn more, and respects his son’s decision to make a bold change. Efrat Goldratt-Ashlag uses a similar writing technique as her father did with Alex Rogo in Chapter 7 of The Goal – the primary character’s ability to retreat is removed, forcing them to try approaches that would otherwise be seen as reckless. Just as Rogo follows Jonah in The Goal to make big changes that are contrary to popular opinion, Marc follows Professor Richard Silver’s guidance on changing their approach to projects because otherwise the business will fail.

Best Writing, Quotes

“His people contacted Wilson with a requested change and heard they are currently not working on the project.” Page 61

“We assumed that the sooner we start working on it the great the chance we’ll get it done in time.” Page 62

“Starting early with each project does not increase its chances of being completed on time.” Page 62

“But changes of this magnitude take considerable time to figure out and many of them don’t bring the desired results.” Page 63

“This is a bold move, son,” Isaac says, and continues in a stern voice, “don’t mess up.” Page 63

“Either you’re late on the dates that you commit to, or you finish three projects in one week?!” Sam to Marc, upset with early project completions – Page 64

“The multitasking in engineering is not only a killer of time for them, it’s also a killer of capacity for the departments down the line.” – Page 65