If you liked Visweswaran’s earlier book (VISUism), this one will resonate even more. The author beautifully weaves VISUism into a compelling story with relatable characters and real-world challenges faced by young professionals. Inspired by the teachings of his Guru, Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt, the book highlights how even complex situations hide inherent simplicity. By adopting a “system’s view” and focusing on the big picture, it’s possible to bring harmony and resolve uncertainty, variability, and long-standing issues. With the right facilitation, people come together to define problems, co-create solutions, and overcome implementation hurdles. The book proves that even decades-old chronic problems can be turned around in a very short time—as shown in the inspiring revival of a textile mill in just 90 days. A fast and insightful read, highly recommended for entrepreneurs and aspiring consultants eager to learn from a TOC Guru.
De clutter to flow better does exactly what it is named after. It de clutters the multitude of texts and jargons surrounding the industry popular concept of 'Theory of constraints' and simplifies it in the form of an engaging story so that the reader is not just able to understand but also retain and apply this important business concept. It is a fast read and particularly useful for any entrepreneur starting his own auto, textile or manufacturing business or any student of business. If only we could find such simplified versions of complex topics, the world would be that much more efficient.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a management consultant and experiencing the satisfaction of solving a chronic client-side problem?
If yes, I highly recommend reading the second book in the series by Mr. Visweswaran Sundararaman — "Declutter to Flow Better". I believe the “TOC Guru,” the protagonist of the book, reflects the author's deep expertise in Theory of Constraints and structured problem-solving.
This engaging book provides the intellectual satisfaction of resolving a real-world challenge — specifically, the one faced by the Production environment in the textile industry.
What makes this book truly special is its clear, step-by-step application of scientific thinking to organizational problems, including:-
1. Agile Diagnostics- using the *Current Reality Tree*
2. Converging Multiple Departmental Clouds - into a single Organizational Cloud
3. Solving Conflicts- using a structured thinking framework of cloud evaporation
“In order to → We need to → Conflicting Actions → Because → Then ask: Really????”
4. Ideating on the ‘Really???’ part to arrive at breakthrough solutions
5. "The Dice Game" to identify the Constraint (CCR) — reminded me of the “Beer Game” we played during our Supply Chain Analytics course in college
6. "Color-Coding Systems" for better visibility and flow
7. "Sustaining Solutions" through POOGI (Process of Ongoing Improvement) and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions)
This book is nothing short of a management thriller. I strongly recommend it to professionals, especially those in operations, consulting, or continuous improvement roles.
Written in a very interesting format, compelling to go to the next chapter. Simple narratives in an Indian context making it fun with an eclectic mix of personal life nuggets as well . Just the right amount of content, making it a read for one go. Concepts derived in a Socratic format through team discussions. Only suggestion is to have descriptive figures in the penultimate chapters so that concepts are etched in the mind visually also... Expecting another part covering distribution as well...
Just finished reading De-clutter to FLOW Better, a business fiction grounded in real-world manufacturing and operations challenges. Written by Visweswaran Sundararaman, a business transformation consultant trained in TOC by Eli Goldratt himself, it’s both practical and engaging. Set in a struggling textile firm, the story follows production delays, missed orders, and frustrated teams. The tension extends into the protagonist’s personal life, until a ‘TOC Guru’ enters—using a Sherlock Holmes-style approach and Socratic questioning to help the team uncover root causes and restore flow. The narrative connects TOC principles with broader continuous improvement themes, emphasizing that improvement is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix. With simple writing and relatable Indian business contexts, it’s easy to grasp and apply. If you liked Eliyahu Goldratt’s The Goal, this feels like a localized, practical version. Highly recommended for operations leaders, supply chain professionals, MBA students, and anyone driving transformation.
Concepts like Theory of Constraints(TOC) are difficult to explain and lands up being a lot of jargon. To convert it into a conversational story is an art and needs knowledge of TOC. Visu has done this deftly in his book, so that concept of TOC reaches a wider audience. An interesting read !
Mr. Muralidharan
“The book (De – clutter to FLOW better), is exceptionally well-written and easy to comprehend. The introduction of the conflict cloud method for resolving conflicts in various functions is particularly impressive. The Process of Improvement is brilliantly elucidated. What stands out is how the book seamlessly integrates scientific principles into management practices, demonstrating that achieving departmental targets does not necessarily equate to overall company success. The author’s ability to explain systematic thinking through practical examples adds immense value to the narrative. The simplified thinking methods presented in this book are invaluable for anyone involved in change management, regardless of their industry.
Excited to share my recent insights from the book "De – Clutter to FLOW better"! Implementing the strategies outlined in this book has extended my TOC implementation knowledge by a couple of years, providing me with a fresh eagle-eye perspective. A crucial takeaway from my previous experience is the significance of securing buy-in from all stakeholders, and this book brilliantly illustrates the buy-in sessions with practical examples.
The book "De-Clutter to Flow Better" written by Visu is an excellent Business Novel. Anybody who has worked in a manufacturing environment will easily be able to relate to the story. It becomes more and more interesting as you read further and further. It is very difficult to put down the book because it creates eagerness to know what happens next. The way it reached the 'Solution' is commendable. It is not easy to write it in such a simple way. It is 'Must Read' for those who work in manufacturing environment. Congratulations to Visu for producing yet another excellent book. (BTW, I also oved his earlier book #VISUism - Corporate Stories Part 1)
Written by Visu, a seasoned Theory of Constraints expert, Declutter to Flow Better is a refreshing and highly relevant read. It felt like revisiting the classic The Goal, but this time with a distinct Indian context and flavor that made the concepts even more relatable. The book effectively connects TOC principles with real-world scenarios, making it both thought-provoking and actionable. A must-read for anyone looking to streamline processes and unlock flow — especially in Indian business environments.
First time a professional consultant is sharing the full TOC model. Must read for any CEO.
Just finished De-Clutter to Flow Better. It was an insightful read. Coming from a sales and a brief TOC background, I can relate to the examples mentioned, and the approach taken to attack them. A helpful perspective for anyone driving business transformation.
Just completed reading De-clutter to FLOW better book by Visweswaran Sundararaman. I highly recommend this to anyone who is in operations management, strategic thinking and wants to understand how TOC concepts can help in challenging the basic assumption with tools like Current Reality Tree for root cause analysis, the Evaporating Cloud for conflict resolution, and a Red-Yellow-Green system for process management with first principle thinking by weaving it with a compelling story to make it more personal and relatable
I’ve long admired the work and insights of the TOC (Theory of Constraints) guru, Mr. Visu. Though I never had the opportunity to work with him directly on a project, “Declutter to Flow Better” felt like the perfect bridge—it gave me the chance to step into Abhinav’s shoes and vicariously experience learning directly from the master himself.
The book is much more than a business management guide—it’s a compelling narrative that thoughtfully weaves in powerful thinking process tools. Whether you’re new to TOC or someone looking to deepen your understanding, this book serves as an excellent resource.
Each concept is introduced through a relatable and engaging story, making complex ideas remarkably easy to grasp. What truly stands out is how the storyline keeps you hooked. You’re constantly wondering what’s going to happen next, and in the process, you absorb transformational insights into problem-solving and decision-making.
It’s a rare combination of storytelling and structured thought that works seamlessly. A personal bonus for me was receiving a signed copy from the author—it made the experience even more special and memorable.
I highly recommend “Declutter to Flow Better” to all my friends, colleagues, and anyone interested in systems thinking or operational excellence. If you’ve ever wished to understand how clarity can drive flow—both in business and in thinking—this book is a must-read!
I just finished reading the book (De – flutter to FLOW better). It refreshed me on the concepts as I had been out of touch for some time….enjoyed a lot reading it. Have now given it to a friend of mine who runs a small production unit….waiting to hear his views as he has no exposure to theory of constraints, TOC so far. On a different note, consider doing a book on projects and distribution also ?