A Study of the Toyota Production System: From an Industrial Engineering Viewpoint (Produce What Is Needed, When It's Needed)

Shigeo Shingo was the mastermind behind the Toyota Production System, constantly experimenting and thinking on how to improve. The result was an approach that significantly reduced required inventories (and their associated costs and losses), improved quality, and reduced throughput time. "A Study of the Toyota Production System" is somewhat difficult to read, due to translation issues, but more importantly will make you stop to think, scratch your head in disbelief, and then finally agree in amazement.

There are a lot of books about the Toyota Production System, but this is one of the most useful for those actually attempting to implement elements of this system. Most of the books on TPS by western authers are just superficial glosses written by MBA's who don't seem to have a clue how to make anything. This book is detailed, specific, clearly written, and very well translated. Some of the material is repetative, nevertheless this is the book to get on TPS.

I enjoyed it since it gave me insight on how TPS evolved and allowed me to better understand not how TPS works but more why.