Multi-project shared resource environments, performance improvement

Theory of Constraints for Multi-Project Shared Resource Environments

Our primary tool for improving performance in multi-project, shared resource environments is through Theory of Constraints (TOC) Critical Chain Project Management. With CCPM:

Project plans accommodate uncertainty and variation in delivery. Things can go wrong, but the plan is still viable.
Capacity is acknowledged in the planning process to ensure what’s planned is achievable – strategies are employed to address resource overloading.
Task updates are simple, fast, and timely, helping ensure that the project plans and execution remain aligned.
Priorities are clear and objectively set across the portfolio of projects so that everyone knows what task is next. Resources can be moved to where they are needed. Deadlines are replaced by a true ‘pull’ workflow management system.
Student’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s Law and task switching, the leading causes of waste in knowledge-work environments, are specifically addressed.

TRIZ: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

TRIZ is the Russian acronym for “Theory of Inventive Problem Solving”. TRIZ encompasses a structured method for creative thinking, problem solving, business innovation and ideation.

TRIZ includes a theoretical base and various analytical and knowledge-based tools that help individuals and teams invent, innovate, create and resolve complex problems in a systematic and repeatable way.

Organisations that integrate TRIZ-based innovation and problem solving can build a sustainable competitive edge.

Lean Six Sigma in Project Management

Lean Six Sigma – does your continuous improvement team focus on eliminating the 8 deadly wastes?

The need to have and sustain a decisive competitive edge in today’s challenging knowledge-work environments is a prerequisite to ongoing success.

We can help to eliminate unnecessary waste and out-of-specification variation from your business operations, enabling you to add more value to your customers. Our proven methodology of applying TOC (Theory of Constraints) with Lean Six Sigma principles and tools ensures operational improvement efforts are focused on your organisation’s constraints for optimum bottom-line results.

Lean Training, Coaching & Mentoring

Training – what happens if you don’t train your people and they stay?

In order to build and maintain a competitive edge you must be continually up-skilling and empowering your workforce. Free Flow Partners are qualified Adult Educators. We are registered training providers and assessors for Competenz New Zealand delivering National Qualifications in Competitive Systems and Practices.

Our training is backed with 100% coaching and mentoring which ensures you and your team has the ongoing guidance and support needed to sustain and build on improvement gains.

Coaching helps integrating new tools and methodologies into the fabric of your organisation ensuring that you get the most benefit and a sustained return on improvement initiatives.

Client Results

Free Flow Partners were able to simplify the production planning process and helped us to radically improve our production efficiency by over 30%. We highly recommend Free Flow Partners to any company that is looking for ways to improve their processes and production efficiencies. Learn more about Greg’s Lean journey at Stuff.co.nz

Greg Knight, Managing Director Florentines Patisserie

Due date performance has improved from 78 % to 98%. The only late orders have been due to suppliers being caught out with our increased demand.

Andy Cameron Oasis Engineering

Freeflow educated our team on TOC (Theory of Constraint) theories and introduced a basic framework which immediately released a significant amount of productive capacity.

Blair McKolskey, Finewood Furntiture

“Our due date performance since working with Freeflow Partners has improved from 30% to 100%. We have not missed one customer order in over 8 months.”

David Presland, Production Manager Trimax Mowing Systems

Free Flow Partners have been great to work with, they know their stuff!

Nigel Woodd, Director Ziwipeak

Our production lead time has reduced from 9 days to 3 days. And while our sales and productivity have increased by 50% our inventory has remained the same. Staff have really enjoyed the whole process. The training was great and ensured we achieved buy in and results from day one. We have implemented a bonus […]