Constraint Identifier

Overview

The Constraint Identifier skill provides comprehensive capabilities for identifying and exploiting system constraints using Theory of Constraints (TOC) principles. It supports bottleneck identification, throughput analysis, and implementation of the five focusing steps.

Capabilities

Bottleneck identification algorithms
Throughput rate analysis
Constraint exploitation strategies
Subordination planning
Buffer sizing calculation
Constraint elevation options
Drum identification

Used By Processes

TOC-001: Constraint Identification and Exploitation
TOC-002: Drum-Buffer-Rope Scheduling
CAP-001: Capacity Requirements Planning

Tools and Libraries

Simulation software
Throughput analysis tools
Process mapping tools
Data analytics platforms

Usage

skill: constraint-identifier
inputs:
  process_steps:
    - name: "Cutting"
      capacity: 120
      demand: 100
    - name: "Assembly"
      capacity: 80
      demand: 100
    - name: "Testing"
      capacity: 110
      demand: 100
    - name: "Packing"
      capacity: 150
      demand: 100
  current_throughput: 78
  target_throughput: 100
outputs:
  - constraint_identification
  - exploitation_strategies
  - subordination_plan
  - elevation_options
  - buffer_recommendations

Five Focusing Steps

Step 1: Identify the Constraint

Analyze capacity vs. demand at each step
Look for WIP accumulation points
Identify resource with lowest throughput

Step 2: Exploit the Constraint

Ensure constraint never starves or blocks
Eliminate waste at constraint
Maximize constraint utilization

Step 3: Subordinate Everything Else

Pace non-constraints to constraint
Implement pull system from constraint
Don't overproduce at non-constraints

Step 4: Elevate the Constraint

Add capacity at constraint
Reduce setup time
Improve quality at constraint

Step 5: Prevent Inertia

Return to Step 1
Find new constraint
Continue improvement cycle

Constraint Types

Type	Description	Examples
Physical	Resource limitation	Machine capacity, labor
Policy	Rule-based limitation	Batch sizes, schedules
Market	Demand limitation	Customer orders
Supplier	Input limitation	Raw material availability

Integration Points

Manufacturing Execution Systems
ERP systems
Simulation software
Production planning systems

constraint-identifier