Theory of Constraints vs Focused Improvement (See how the 5 steps of ToC work in the FI pillar)

For that great explainer on Focused Improvement and how it can help you lift capacity constraints, check out this free curated mini course: www.beltcourse...
Theory of Constraints teaches us why bottlenecks and constraints matter so much, ToC's 5 focusing steps can help you guide your Focused Improvement efforts to improve OEE and throughput.
So when you're trying to increase production capacity in your factory (or any organisation, really), you should be focusing on those processes that limit throughput the most: your constraints, or bottlenecks. This is critical for performance excellence because improving OEE on non-bottleneck machines will simply not contribute much to your bottom line.
In short, Eliyahu Goldratt's Theory of Constraints (ToC) states that you should 1) Identify, 2) Exploit, 3) Subordinate, 4) Elevate and 5) Repeat specific steps to your constraint. The video explains these steps in a bit more detail.
But if your company already adopted a different continuous improvement philosophy, like TPM, Six Sigma, Lean, WCO, you'll like be talking more about focused improvement (specifically as the FI pillar, or just as the concept of analysing your main opportunities and where you should focus your efforts).
The 5 steps of Theory of Constraints can also be seen in the standards of the Focused Improvement methodology. Granted, the methods have plenty of differences (and are both great philosophies in their own right), but unsurprisingly they have many overlaps too.
So if you're looking for a way to implement those great ideas you got after reading The Goal within your existing company improvement culture, you sort of can!
#continuousimprovement #theoryofconstraints #focusedimprovement
* the link to the mini course is an affiliate link, if you continue to purchase any paid course from Belt Course I will receive a commission (their mini courses are free and also don't generate income for me)