Theory of Constraints (TOC)
Reference model
Identify and manage constraints to improve overall system performance.
About this model
A management philosophy aimed at improving organizational performance by focusing on the constraints that limit success.
Originator not stated.
How to read it
- Identify the constraint in the process first.
- Focus on improving the constraint to enhance overall throughput.
What this does
Identifies the most significant limiting factor (constraint) in a process and systematically improves it to enhance overall performance.
When to use it
Use it when a process is underperforming and you need to find the bottleneck that is limiting throughput.
Not when: Do not use it when the process is functioning well or when multiple constraints are not clearly identifiable.
What happens next
Consider using the Five Focusing Steps to implement improvements based on the identified constraint.
Golden thread
Builds on ←
- Process mapping
- Performance metrics
Feeds into →
- Improvement plan
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Drafted with AI and reviewed by Eccellere on 04/11/2026. Guidance, not advice: apply your own judgement.