SAP Implementation at Daiwa - CCPM focus

Bob Lewis from InfoWorld talks about a SAP implementation at Daiwa, using the CCPM methodology, and the 6 main lessons learned.   

http://bit.ly/rYLmJP

Also, from the same author, the "13 tips for turbocharging projects", which also includes many of the CCPM and good project management principles.

http://bit.ly/vSG1Sl

Enjoy.

Principles First, Tools Last - Mike Micklewright

Mike Micklewright, the "Deming Impersonator", has a nice story about the crucial difference between principles and tools, and how it is absolutely necessary to define a goal and necessary conditions before starting a journey into continuous improvement.

http://bit.ly/uZS0sU

Evolving Excellence - Economies of Scale

I found these two articles that were written by Bill Waddell some years ago, about the "phallacy" of economies of scale, and how Toyota defied the basic assumption of "more production means lower costs" by creat.  Still incredibly relevant and on to point.

Part 1

http://bit.ly/sgALHG

Part 2

http://bit.ly/vuvdWU

The Conflicted Toyota

Toyota, the continuous improvement world leader, is still struggling from it's quality problems found in the last couple of years.   I hope it comes out victorious and keeps setting the example of what leader in improvement means.

http://bit.ly/vJXk8g

Great by Choice - Jim Collins

Jim Collins new book, focuses on trying to answer the question:  why do some companies thrive in chaos and uncertainty.

Matt May does a summary of the books main points.   Many of them seem closely related to continuous improvement methodologies such as Theory of Constraints (TOC).

http://bit.ly/twllRJ

RSA - Paradigms in Education

Following up on the link sent of the "divided mind", I found the excellent TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson on "Paradigms in Education", also in an animated format by RSA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=relmfu

Not especifically TOC related, but very interesting indeed.

The Heart Surgeon and The Mechanic

A heart surgeon took his car to his local garage for a regular service, where he usually exchanged a little friendly banter with the owner, a skilled but not especially wealthy mechanic.

"So tell me," says the mechanic, "I've been wondering about what we both do for a living, and how much more you get paid than me.."

"Yes?.." says the surgeon.

"Well look at this," says the mechanic, as he worked on a big complicated engine, "I check how it's running, open it up, fix the valves, and put it all back together so it works good as new.. We basically do the same job don't we? And yet you are paid ten times what I am - how do you explain that?"

The surgeon thought for a moment, and smiling gently, replied,"Try it with the engine running.."