The Purpose of the ALP for Production and Operations

The Active Learning Program for Production and Operations is designed to provide the answer for how to manage operations.

The ALP teaches the basic steps to stabilize and improve operational flow. This journey introduces where, how, and even when to focus improvements to ensure continuous improvement to the bottom-line. It helps separate the symptoms of problems within operations from the root cause of those symptoms. The ALP provides a solution for managing the flow of work through a series of interdependent process steps that lead to significantly enhanced bottom line results. Whether this solution is applied to a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, whether the processes are simple or complex, the Theory of Constraints-based solution known as Drum Buffer-Rope will pave the way for a whole new understanding of a system in need of improvement, the steps to achieve bottom-line results, and the appropriate metrics to measure the significance of the improvements achieved and sustained.

Utilizing a combination of narrative discussions from Velocity: Combining Lean, Six Sigma, and the Theory of Constraints to Achieve Breakthrough Performance, and computer-based simulations for testing the learning, ALP identifies the typical problems encountered in many operations and then unravels the mystery of how to improve operations with five robust steps. These steps can be applied effectively whether the operation takes place on the manufacturing work floor, in a doctor's office, or behind the computer screen as it does for many service industries. Once the framework has been established and the steps understood they will still need to be applied in reality. A teaching guide can only take one so far. Then, practical application needs to be put in place. Some will take the lessons learned from the ALP and achieve significant bottom-line results. Others, in more complex environments, may need additional levels of understanding and/or assistance in customizing the solution. Yet, it will still be the same fundamentals of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) application of Drum Buffer-Rope that lay the groundwork for bottom-line improvements.

Download includes ALP Guide (PDF), Simulation software (Windows and Mac), and a temporary software license (with instruction on how to acquire a permanent license).