What Is TLT?

TLT is a software tool for business people, consultants, students, and anyone else who needs a very general methodology to help them solve difficult problems. Primarily, TLT is well designed to improve the practice of the  “Thinking Process Tools” (TPT) of the Theory of Constraints (TOC).  TPT is also known simply as the Thinking Processes. This methodology is especially well suited to the complex, multi-disciplinary world of business, and it is a powerful asset in driving tactical change linked to strategic objectives in an organizational context. The TLT software can be an important resource for those with from a variety of backgrounds and interests:

·    educators, consultants, and trainers teaching problem-solving methodology,

·    professionals with experience in TOC (Theory of Constraints) and the Thinking Process Tools who want to access powerful software and learn some of the latest developments in this methodology, and

·    those who are looking to learn TPT and wish to do so using the TLT software - TLT Features.

In my experience, the graphical structure of the TPT is a tremendous asset that makes it so practical and powerful.  Creating the diagrams (called trees) places a burden upon users (many of whom use standard drawing and word processing programs as their preferred graphical presentation and drawing application).  The TLT software has been designed as an accessible, low-cost yet high-performance way to help you easily solve problems.  With its increased ease and power in implementation, the TLT software greatly enhances the value of TOC's Thinking Processes approach. 

If you want to learn more about the Thinking Process Tools of the Theory of Constraints, there are several particularly significant sources of the TPT approach on which TLT is built:

(1)   Eliyahu M. Goldratt, “It's Not Luck,” North River Press, Inc. (1994).

(2)   William Dettmer, “Breaking the Constraints to World Class Performance,” ASQ Quality Press (1998).

(3)   William Dettmer, “Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints: A Systems Approach to Continuous Improvement,” ASQ Quality Press (1997).

(4)   Scheinkopf, L., “Thinking For a Change: Putting the TOC Thinking Processes to Use,” Saint Lucie Press (1999).

The TLT software is deeply rooted in Eli Goldratt’s “Thinking Process” approach to problem-solving, and anyone familiar with this methodology will be able to jump right in.    At the same time, TLT allows you to go beyond the strict bounds of the TPT to make it more powerful in application.