About this Presentation
This is a discussion moderated by John Thompson with panelists Dee Jacob and Roy Stratton on buffer strategy. The general rule of thumb for critical chain project management (CCPM) of cutting the task time in half applies to many environments. The first issue is to check your assumptions. Second, organizations can have 100% due date performance (DDP) by having good project networks, buffers and schedules. In a multiproject environment, it is critical to address the multitasking across projects. People don't follow the right signals; don't follow the global priorities on assigning resources (don't spread the peanut butter, such as three resources working on six tasks all at the same time, thus resulting in all tasks being completed late.) Relay runner and task assignment are paramount. To achieve 100% DDP, you must focus on 1. Setting buffer sizes. 2. Synchronizing by gating projects by staggering resource capacity. 3. Using the relay runner. Why are three-zone (of equal size) buffers used for signal planning and expediting actions? Get better signals for not taking actions when you should; taking actions when you shouldn't and taking the wrong actions. You must understand the context where you apply the action rules. What are the direct effects of the injections? What of the sizes of task times versus safety? Don't get more granular then the system requires. The time you have on paper versus the time you have in reality is the conflict. Different environments cause different actions: production, projects, healthcare, etc. In healthcare, you can't predefine the route of the patient much less the task and path variation.
What Will You Learn
To help you get the most value from this session, we’ve highlighted a few key points. These takeaways capture the main ideas and practical insights from the presentation, making it easier for you to review, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
Instructor(s)
Dee Jacob
Ms Alka Wadhwa
Alka Wadhwa is an experienced consultant and process improvement expert with over 24 years of expertise in the Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean Six Sigma, and organizational performance optimization. She has successfully led projects in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing, driving significant improvements such as a 67% boost in hospital operations and a 140% increase in outpatient visits.
Previously, Alka Wadhwa spent 17+ years at GE Global Research Center, where she led initiatives to enhance various GE businesses through advanced technologies, process redesign, and system optimization. Founder of Better Solutions Consulting, LLC, she specializes in using TOC, Six Sigma, and data analytics to streamline operations and build high-performance teams.
Her work has earned her multiple accolades, including the Empire State Award of Excellence in healthcare.
Dr Gary Wadhwa
Dr. Gary Wadhwa is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive experience in the field. He completed his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training at Montefiore Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and has served as an Attending at prestigious institutions like St. Peters Hospitals, Ellis Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital in NY. With a career spanning over two decades, he was the former CEO and President of a group specialty practice in NY from 1994 to 2015. Dr. Wadhwa holds an MBA from UT at Knoxville, TN, and has undergone additional training in System Dynamics at MIT, Health System Management at Harvard Business School, and Entrepreneurship and healthcare innovations at Columbia Business School. Committed to expanding access to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery care, he is currently engaged in a meaningful project to provide healthcare services to underserved populations in inner city and rural areas through non-profit Community Health Centers.