MENTAL MODEL · M11566

Theory of Constraints

BusinessHigh supportManagement

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Five focusing steps: 1. Identify the constraint 2. Exploit the constraint 3. Subordinate everything else to the constraint 4. Elevate the constraint 5. Repeat.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Leverage point locator. System output is determined by the weakest link; optimization should focus on the bottleneck.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Any system has at least one bottleneck (constraint) that determines its output; improvements to non-bottlenecks do not increase total output. System output equals the throughput of the bottleneck; optimizing local non-bottlenecks is wasteful and may even create work-in-process inventory pile-up.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

Identify the system's bottleneck
exploit the bottleneck (do not waste its time)
subordinate other resources to the bottleneck's pace
elevate the bottleneck's capacity
return to step one to prevent inertia (the bottleneck may shift).

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_constraintsZH · Explicit
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