The Theory of Constraints is a methodology which helps you identify the crucial limiting factor (usually referred to as a constraint or a bottleneck), that stands in the way of achieving a goal. The main goal of theory of constraints is to improve that constraint to the point when it’s no longer the limiting factor.
The origin of Theory of Constraints
In his bestselling novel “The Goal” (1984), Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt developed the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and introduced it to a wide audience. Since then, TOC has continued to evolve, and today it is one of the most well known management techniques.
The goal of Theory of Constraints
The Theory of Constraints hypotheses that every complex system, including manufacturing processes, consists of multiple linked activities, where one of them can disrupt the whole system (i.e. “weakest link in the chain”).
The goal of Theory of Constraints is to make a profit. Tools that will help you achieve that goal are:
- The Five Focusing Steps - a methodology that helps you identify and eliminate constraints.
- The Thinking Processes - tools that help you analyze and resolve problems.
- Throughput Accounting - a method that helps you measure performance and guide management decisions.
Project Management Methodologies and Frameworks
The Five Focusing Steps
The five focusing steps are the cyclical process aimed at improving and eliminating bottlenecks you encounter on almost any project. They include the following steps:
- Identify - Identify the current constraint.
- Exploit - Make quick improvements by using existing resources.
- Subordinate - Review all the activities to ensure they support the needs of the constraint.
- Elevate - Take actions until the restraint has been eliminated. In some cases, this may require major investments.
- Repeat - After resolving one constraint, repeat the cycle and work on improving new constraints that pop-up.
The Thinking Processes
The Thinking Processes are mainly used for complex systems with many activities that depend on one another. They are designed as scientific “cause and effect” tools. Their role is to identify root causes of undesirable effects (referred to as UDEs), and then remove the UDEs without developing new ones.
The Thinking Processes help you answer three vital questions:
- What do you need to change?
- What should you change it to?
- What actions will cause the change?
Throughput Accounting
Unlike traditional accounting (where there is a strong emphasis on cutting expenses which are limited by reaching zero expenses), the Theory of Constraints focuses more on increasing the profit and so it doesn't have such limitations.
According to Theory of Constraints, inventory ties up cash that you can use more productively elsewhere. Overall, Theory of Constraints attempts to eliminate distortions that promote goals contrary to the goal of increasing profit.
Throughput accounting has four measures:
- Net profit
- Return on investment
- Productivity
- Investment Turns
Essentially, there are three improvements you should be focusing on:
- Will throughput be increased?
- Will investment be reduced?
- Will Operating Expenses be reduced?
The benefits of Theory of Constraints
One of the most beneficial characteristics of the Theory of Constraints is that it emphasizes the process of improvement.
In environments where there is an urgent need to improve, TOC offers the best solution as it focuses primarily on creating rapid improvements.
A successful implementation of Theory of Constraints has a number of advantages:
- It improves capacity by optimizing the constraint
- It enables more product to be manufactured
- It increases profit
- It reduces lead time by optimizing the constraint
- It creates a smoother and faster product flow
- It lets you improve faster because you can focus all attention on one critical are, ie. the system constraint
- It reduces inventory and work-in-progress by eliminating bottlenecks
Theory of Constraints has had a tremendous impact on the business world and has produced remarkable results for companies worldwide.
Despite the popular belief that Goldratt’ Theory of Constraints applies only to the manufacturing environment, it has had a major effect on other industries as well (including IT). It has also been developed for a wide variety of industries such as retail, banking, logistics, healthcare, and many other.
