Theory of Constraints
TOC is the application of cause effect thinking to the practical problems of business and everyday life. The graphic diagrams of the TOC Thinking Processes, make intuition explicit and improve communication.
TOC is three things:
An integrated management science,
Graphic thinking processes and tools, and
A group of applications designed to focus on important organizational leverage points and bring rapid and large bottom line results.
The Theory of Constraints provides a framework for helping organizations determine:
What to change---what is the leverage point
What to change to---what are the simple, practical solutions
How to cause the change---overcoming the inherent resistance to change.
Eli Goldratt--the creator of the Theory of Constraints