This book investigates the strategic imperative of reducing manufacturing cycle times to gain competitive advantage in global markets. The authors, Joseph A. Bockerstette and Richard L. Shell, leverage their expertise in industrial engineering and operations management to argue that time, rather than just cost or quality, is the primary driver of efficiency. They present a framework for identifying and eliminating non-value-added time throughout the production process.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the shift toward time-based competition in early 1990s manufacturing. Readers frequently note the practical, engineering-focused density of the prose, which prioritizes operational mechanics over abstract management theory.