Constraint management : avoiding train wrecks, cowsin the road, and other obstacles to production

Constraint Management is a way of detecting constraints and their role in system performance.

The constraint management approach begins with determining or suspecting that a problem exists.

The scope of the problem is determined by what factors internal or external to the area, perhaps even external to the company, affect production.

A boundary is drawn around these factors of production.

Critical factors for production, whether resources, policies, or other limiters, are identified, with an eye toward which factors appear to be keeping the system from performing as expected or required.

Methods to schedule work and apportion it to persons or processes, and the size of the assignments are evaluated and modified.