Theory of Constraints Handbook - James Cox Iii [108]
Danos (1996) discusses how an implementation of DBR software increased profits by 300 percent at one company. Demmy and Demmy (1994) present a novel use of DBR by a photographer (treating himself as the constraint) in scheduling students to have their pictures taken for their yearbook. Demmy and Petrini (1992) describe the successful implementation of DBR to control aircraft maintenance within the Air Force Material Command. Duclos and Spencer (1995) use a simulation model of three different environments to show how DBR produces significantly better results than MRP in a hypothetical company. Fawcett and Peterson (1991) include DBR in a discussion of manufacturing-related aspects of TOC. Fry (1990) discusses an important aspect of buffers—the impact of work-in-progress (WIP) inventory on lead times. Because most of the time that a part spends in a facility is waiting for service rather than being serviced, there is a strong correlation between WIP and lead time. In a follow-up article, Fry et al. (1991) discuss the implementation of DBR to control lead time. Gardiner et al. (1992) provide a comprehensive overview of DBR and Buffer Management. Gardiner et al. (1994) present a brief discussion of DBR and Buffer Management in discussing the evolution of TOC.
Grosfeld-Nir and Ronen (1992) discuss the application of OPT® to the single-bottleneck problem. Lambrecht and Alain (1990) present the results of a simulation comparison of JIT and DBR. In an earlier paper, Lambecht and Decaluwe (1988) show that DBR is more robust than JIT in managing bottlenecks. Pinedo (1997) provides a second commentary on Simons and Simpson (1997) praising the overall article but raising an issue of lack of comparison with other software. Radovilsky (1994) uses queuing theory to estimate the size of time buffers in DBR (Goldratt and others suggest using an amount equivalent to a portion of the existing lead time). Radovilsky (1998) presents a follow-up to the initial article, also estimating initial time buffer size using queuing theory. It should be noted that Buffer Management would be used to adjust this initial estimate based on whether too much or too little material is present in the time buffer.
Reimer (1991) outlines DBR and discusses it with a modified MRP framework. Schragenheim and Ronen (1990; 1991) are discussed; these articles were discussed at length earlier in the chapter. Russell and Fry (1997) discuss order review/release mechanisms that could be used to fill the function of the rope and discuss lot splitting into several transfer batches as an expediting methodology. Schragenheim et al. (1994) discuss modifications of DBR for use in process industries. Simons and Simpson (1997) present a concise history of the evolution of DBR and the algorithm in detail, and relate the algorithm to alternative methods.
Spearman (1997) gives both positive and negative comments on TOC and the Goal System software. Spencer (1991) discusses the basic theory behind DBR and how to marry DBR and MRP II. Spencer and Cox (1994) discuss the distinctions between OPT® and TOC. Spencer and Wathen (1994) present a case study of service functions at Stanley Furniture including an implementation of DBR. Stein (1996) includes a discussion of the advantages of DBR and dynamic buffering in a generalized manufacturing situation. Umble and Srikanth (1995) include a thorough discussion of DBR in their pioneering book, Synchronous Manufacturing.
Wolffarth (1998) presents practical lessons learned from an implementation of DBR within an Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system.