Theory of Constraints: Your Bottleneck Defines Your System
A system's output is limited by its single biggest bottleneck, just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Use it to increase throughput in manufacturing or software delivery by focusing all improvement efforts on that one constraint.
The Theory of Constraints (TOC) posits that a system's output is capped by its single biggest bottleneck. Like a chain that's only as strong as its weakest link, improving any other part is a waste of effort. It's used to increase throughput in complex processes like manufacturing lines or software delivery pipelines by identifying the one constraint and subordinating all other activities to support it. The biggest footgun is local optimization—improving non-bottleneck parts, which doesn't increase overall output.
Read the original → Wikipedia: Theory of constraints
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