The Goal By Eli Goldratt
Essay Preview: The Goal By Eli Goldratt
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Although the book was originally written almost 20 years ago, it does a great job at making the subject of process improvement engaging. Goldratt very cleverly disguises a “business book” in the form of a fiction novel.
It seems that I always enjoy books more if I can relate to one of the characters. Although I dont run a factory like Alex Rogo does, I am a pretty busy person who struggles to balance personal and professional demands.
Perhaps the most compelling theme in the book is the concept that the journey is more important than the destination. Every time Alex Rogo thinks he has improved how his factory operates, a whole new crop of issues arises, and Alex needs to re-investigate whats really going on the factory floor so he can find and eliminate the new bottleneck. Goldratt summarizes Alexs task as a process of ongoing improvement. Bottlenecks can appear anywhere, even where you least expect them. The real challenge in being a manager, Alex discovers, is being able to work through the improvement process no matter what form it may take.
If youll allow me to drash it a little bit (perhaps Im in the mood because were right in the middle of the Yamim Noraim), what Goldratt is really getting at is that the process is more important than the outcome. In other words, the journey is its own reward. The struggle is what makes us stronger. Thats not to say that the end isnt important; Goldratt entitled the book The Goal for a reason. Businesspeople (Goldratts audience) know that they need to be profitable or theyll go out of business (or get replaced by someone who can make a profit).
The truly rewarding part of work (and by extension life in general) isnt at the moment that you reach the goal. In fact, once Ive finished a project and declared success there is often a little hint of disappointment that its over.