Theory of Constraints: five focusing steps
OfficialOfficial · updated Nov 4, 2026 · v1.0.1
Finds the one step that limits your output, then plans how to exploit it, subordinate the rest, and add capacity there only if needed, with owners, dates and measures.
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When to use it
- Work piles up and output doesn't grow, though everyone is busy
- Before hiring or buying tools to go faster
- Teams optimize their own step and the end result doesn't move
What you give it
- The system's goal and output measure
- The steps work passes through, in order
- Capacity, queue and wait time at each step
- Planned hires or purchases
What you get
A constraint review: the flow table, the named constraint with evidence, exploit, subordinate and add-capacity actions with owners, the likely next constraint, and weekly measures.
Changelog
- v1.0.1 · Nov 4, 2026 · Example: the subordinate step now says writers' drafting capacity will sit partly idle and why that is correct, as the skill's own check asks.
- v1.0.0 · Nov 4, 2026 · First release.
Sources
- The Five Focusing Steps - Theory of Constraints Institute (2026-11-04)
- The Goal Summary - Theory of Constraints Institute (2026-11-04)
- The Goal, 30th Anniversary Edition - North River Press (2026-11-04)
- The Basics of TOC and Operations - Goldratt Marketing Group (2026-11-04)
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