ABCs of QA Models: Theory of Constraints

The theory of constraints is best applied to manufacturing but it can also be used in a service environment. Invented by Dr Eliyahu Goldratt this model focuses on an organization as a series of processes.

Generally speaking, this model has to do with analyzing the variations in a process with a particular focus on amount of material batched through production, the variation in the process, and JIT delivery from suppliers balancing holding costs with set-up costs. Overall, it has to do with how fast or slow material is put through the plant and what processes are the "bottleneck".

Here is a good site for further research: http://www.dbrmfg.co.nz/Overview%20Introduction.htm