TQM and JIT Need TOC, TOC Needs TQM and JIT

In the last two decades, three management philosophies have emerged that have greatly improved Americas competitiveness Total Quality Management TQM, Just-In-Time JIT, and the Theory of Constraints TOC. TQM has proved that customer service and product quality are vitally important. JIT has proven the importance of reducing inventories and eliminating waste. TQM and JIT are forcing management to a new scale of importance not only as to how they view throughput, inventory and operating expense, but more importantly the role of people -- their most important resource. TQM has proven to virtually everybody in the industrial world that improved quality is necessary for success. Were it not for JIT, inventory would still be considered an asset in most situations. If it were not for TQM and JIT, those actions that are essential to improve future throughput would not have been implemented. This paper discusses how the TOC needs TQM and JIT, and how TQM and JIT needs TOC. TQM and JIT needs TOC in three very important areas primary focus, measurements, and scheduling.