This website covers knowledge management, personal effectiveness, theory of constraints, amongst other topics. Opinions expressed here are strictly those of the owner, Jack Vinson, and those of the commenters.

TOC in software... and R&D

I am still looking for more thinking on how to apply Theory of Constraints ideas and thinking in heavily uncertain areas like discovery research, where typical drop-out rates are well above 80%.  I've been curious about the applications in software development because it seems I could learn something there.  And I have a bunch of people in my extended network that work in this arena. 

David Anderson pointed to a nice summary of his own book, The Theory Of Constraints: Productivity Metrics In Software Development by Derick Bailey.  The main elements of Bailey's contribution just helped me see how the TOC terminology and concepts fit into a software development arena.  What is inventory or an appropriate metric for throughput?  It gives me some insights into the arena.  Maybe I should find Anderson's book?

I finally read through Clarke Ching's Rocks Into Gold, which he describes as a parable on how to thrive during the credit crunch.  It focuses on a software company with a derivation on how valuable it is to deliver early, rather than delivering everything.  Of course, in research, delivery is a likely candidate for sales (whether that is a drug or a new electronic component or a new material), so this doesn't quite equate.  But there are interesting ideas nonetheless.

I would appreciate any additional pointers too.

Re: Fwd: Your Subject Line Stinks

Install Office and find an Easter Egg