Attendees to the First Theory of Constraints Workshop

The two-day workshop entitled "Theory of Constraints/Constraint Management as an Innovative Way of Managing Public Services" on August 20-21, 2007 was attended by select government employees from different departments namely Iligan City Waterworks System Office (ICWS), Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (EEDMO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Budget Office (CBO), City Treasurer's Office (CTO), City Engineer's Office (CEO), and Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital (GTLMH).

Many of the participants, 17 to be exact, are from ICWS because InWEnt chose ICWS as the pilot department with which to implement the concept of TOC since my project proposal in Germany was on water improvement. And Michael Funcke-Bartz, the Senior Project Manager, also saw the need to help improve the water system of Iligan.  To view  the complete list of participants during the workshop, click here.

The first day of the workshop started with a prayer given by Mr. Octavius Molo of the City Agriculture's Office, followed by the singing of the National Anthem lead by Ms. Rosa Edrozo of the City Human Resource Management Office.  And I gave an overview of the program.  

The TOC Consultant and Resource Speaker, Adolfo Held, gave an introduction of himself.   He said that I do not have to introduce him since he knows himself more than I do.   I realized that's how it's  been done with all our training in Germany - the resource speaker introduces himself, always.   So, I let him be.  

Adolfo Held is a German who grew up in Colombia where he finished his secondary school.   He graduated as Mechanical Engineer in Engineering School and as Welding Engineer in Welding Research Institute, both located in Munich, Germany.    He graduated his Masters in Business Administration in Columbia University, New York, USA.       His work experience include being a Project Manager of KHD-Humboldt Wedag AG, Area Sales Manager of Leybold Heraeus GmbH, Marketing and Export Manager of Lucas-Nuelle GmbH and International Marketing Manager of SABO GmbH.   He has been a Management Consultant and Trainer since 1990 and is connected with CDG/InWEnt, GTZ, DED, European Commission, NAMAC, Canon Europe, and MVV Energie.  He is currently the resident TOC Consultant of InWEnt for Latin America.  

Below are some photos during the workshop.

The participants with Mr. Adolfo Held

An Evaluation Sheet from InWEnt was filled up by the participants at the end of the 2-day workshop.  Comments of the participants to the workshop include :

     1.  We need more training
     2.  More details
     3.  Should be taught to the Chief Executive and the decision makers of the LGU
     4.  Another seminar on managing public service
     5.  The workshop must be open to all employees
     6.  Show more detailed presentations and expound more on ways to identify constraints with
          corresponding solutions
     7.  All ICWS personnel should have a seminar like this.
     8.  One participant has difficulty on how to elevate or eliminate constraints
     9.  One participant has difficulty relating Theory of Constraints to the government or public sector


Observations I made during the 2-day workshop :

    1.  Signing of several documents were being done during the workshop even when the Consultant is
         discussing in front.
    2.  Late arrival of some participants and the non-showing up of key officials involved in the program
         caused the delay of the workshop proper.