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Theory of Constraints

Improving a whole process by finding and fixing its slowest step.

What is Theory of Constraints?

Improving a whole process by finding and fixing its slowest step.

What you learn

The slowest step sets the pace. Fix it first.

When it helps

work piles up somewhere, and speeding up other steps doesn’t help.

Use it at work

  1. Find the step where work waits longest.
  2. Get the most from it: remove waste and interruptions there.
  3. Set the other steps to its pace.
  4. Add capacity there if you still need it.
  5. Find the new slowest step, and repeat.

Your output

This week, find where your team’s work waits longest. Improve that step before speeding up any other.

Watch for

Speeding up whichever step looks busiest.

Related practices

Sources

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