Theory of Constraints compared to a case study of interior design project development scheduling
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Abstract
This case study explores the advantages of the implementation of the project management application of Theory of Constraints (TOC) on the project development of commercial rollout units and thus generalizes the advantages of this implementation to other interior design projects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the Goldratt Institute's Theory of Constraints (TOC) project management application for an interior design development project using a qualitative research design comparing a case study to TOC. As per the qualitative research design a theory base was created based on research questions. After choosing project development schedule of two commercial rollout units as the "case", the study completed a pilot case study, data collection, recording and data evaluation. In addition, at the stage of data collection and evaluation two research propositions were created based on the general research question, which facilitated the technique of pattern matching in the data analysis step. The results of the pattern matching were then compared to a CPM schedule in the verification step of the study. Clearly the findings after the data analysis and verification steps indicated that by applying TOC scheduling methods, the interior design project development team could reduce the overall lead time of the project development. Specifically, it also showed that TOC scheduling manages time considerably better than normal bar chart or a CPM schedule. The emerging conclusion is that there is a need to reassess the assumption underlying the present day scheduling techniques. The calculation of lead time using the TOC scheduling technique is efficient. The findings also represented the dynamic impact TOC can have on scheduling day-to-day activities of a design project team. TOC also has a better solution to time management. The approach outlined in this study could be replicated by other design project management teams as well as occupational areas in light, medium, and heavy design projects in order to create a new paradigm shift.