TOC in education?
Just a heads up to any readers who might have a bit of expertise in Theory of Constraints (TOC): over on the Never Work Alone group, a participant has asked a really interesting question about how to apply TOC in a high school. I’m very interested in TOC–read books, etc, and try to frame problems in a TOC way, but this one kinda stumps me. On one hand I’m a little leery of equating a manufacturing system with education, but there are certainly parallels. Anyway, if any of you smarties can chime in I’d sure like to hear what you have to say.
Relatedly, if you don’t know jack about TOC, you should still pop in over at the Group. Since the launch there have been some really good discussions going on. Also, Skip and Dwayne and I have been having an ongoing conversation about how best (and whether) to "seed" the group. We’re going to have lunch on Monday to try and work it all out. My perspective is that we ought to deem a particular post an "official" problem each week. Folks would be welcome to contribute and comment on other problems, but it’s the "official" problem and responses that would move over to the blog at the end of the week. I like this approach because it helps people know which problem to spend their time on, if time is limited. What we’re running into, however, are a whole bunch of good problems and responses. It makes us want to move everything over to the blog! That’s a bit time-consuming, though. Anyway, if you’ve got thoughts on the matter, feel free to drop ‘em in the comments here.
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2 opinions for TOC in education?
Karl Whealton
Oct 14, 2005 at 8:39 am
Actually, though the theory of constraints is very effective in a manufacturing setting, it is more of a thought process.
I’ve used it exclusively in a project management context, for instance.
John Boatright
Oct 14, 2005 at 8:57 am
From what I found doing a web search, TOC is the civilian version of the Military Decison Making Process. This is found in FM 5-0 (new system, old number is 101-1).
The military is very experianced in making decisions in a constrained information invironment.
I wonder which came first?