Theory of Limitations, or TOM, is a operational framework developed by Eliyahu Goldratt and his colleagues in their A seminal publication. It posits that any process, regardless of its scope, has inherent bottlenecks that restrict its performance. The core idea of TOC is to identify these constraints to maximize output.

Key Components of TOC include the System Dynamics and the Objective of the System Optimization.

The Theory of Constraints is built around five main pillars:

1. Focus on the end-user and their requirements. Identifying the ultimate objective is key, the end-user is truly focused on how a service is used, not the process of manufacturing themselves.
2. Identify the limitation is key. This, as we have already discussed, will be your main barrier in achieving the objective.
3. Maximize throughput by managing the bottleneck. Focus on where your production is having the most backlog or major issues and fix that issue first.
4. Respect the operation, even with fewer stabilizers. Part of TOC's objective involves learning to predict how a system will react to variations and iso consulting services firm minimizing adaptations. Therefore, anticipate when challenges arise.
5. Decouple the constraint, or decouple it. This involves making adjustments to your workflow so limitations are no longer a hurdle. Utilizing other approaches to decouple one phase of a chain being the main focus.

Using TOF to identify and manage the barrier requires following a two-step protocol: The "Identify Constraint, Key Steps.

In order to succeed with TOF, the practitioner first needs to follow these tasks:
1. Determine all the processes in producing a product.
2. Identify production periods for each unit in these processes.
3. Use a Gantt chart to highlight periods for production time was wasted.
4. Gather intelligence of everything the team may use to track the chain.
5. Collect information to calculate buffers necessary to keep supply chain recovery.

The "Exploit the Constraint" stage, Exploiting the Constraint After all these things happen, successful change will occur where employees and the rest all work together, supporting the barrier and driving productivity.

Applying TOC involves practical tasks to ensure you successfully set up your approaches for identifying constraints and to ultimately meet their targets.

1. Prioritize projects to improve the constraint or solve it.
2. Monitor constraints as often as possible.
3. Make predictions about the productivity prior to making choices.

In order to successfully use the Process Efficiency Optimization, an expert on the chain needs to be educated and on board in order for a full deployment of the system.