Theory of Constraints
SMT's combination of Lean Principles and Constraint Management focus builds on their best elements to ensure management focus on true constraints to improved performance, not wasting valuable management resources on disparate, incremental and unfocused improvement initiatives. Harnessing this approach yields high payoffs in inventory, supply flexibility and lead time reduction.
SMT Game Plan - Strategic Business Analysis
A SMT Game Plan is often the first step in a consulting project. This involves an in-depth analysis of the processes undertaken by the business and also the environment / market in which it operates.
SMT works closely with the client's staff gathering relevant data, policy and opinion, turning it into information. The objective is to identify the fundamental constraints preventing growth and business improvement. It encourages the management team to re-assess their identity, goals and capabilities. The review looks at both short and long term strategies and is geared toward radical change.
This is a process that is undertaken within a tight timeframe of generally 4-8 weeks.
Implementation
The results of the Game Plan are formulated into a focused list of actions which are initiated across the supply chain. All efforts are focussed on supply chain constraints until they are broken and waste eliminated.
The strategic implementation is a dynamic process, it recognises that a business is a combination of diverse elements which are constantly in flux. No element is static or independent. Having radically changed one element - the constraint, the company is transformed. In effect it is a different company and we must treat is as such. We must go back to the first step to establish and break the next constraint. This introduces the company to a sustainable, focused and business relevant process of continuous improvement. This process is usually involves a combination of change management and technology.