Fundamentals of the Theory of Constraints

Six short lessons that take you from “what is the goal?” to the Five Focusing Steps. Each one asks you to think before it explains, has a hands-on exercise and ends with a short quiz.

6 lessons, about 76 minutes in all
Free, no sign-up. Your progress is saved in this browser
Certificate of completion when you pass all six quizzes

1 The goalBefore you can improve anything, you need to know what “better” means. Who decides the goal, and what separates a goal from a necessary condition? 10 min
2 Measuring progressNet profit and ROI tell you the score, but they arrive too late to steer by. Throughput, Investment and Operating Expense connect daily decisions to the goal. 12 min
3 The weakest linkThink of a company as a chain. Improving every link a little feels productive, but only one link decides how strong the chain is. 10 min
4 Constraints and policiesA constraint is whatever limits the system from getting more of its goal. Machines and markets can be constraints, but most often it’s a rule we set ourselves. 12 min
5 The Five Focusing StepsA simple, repeatable process for improving any system around its constraint, and for not getting stuck once the constraint moves. 18 min
6 TOC in practiceWhere TOC is applied, what results it tends to bring, and the beliefs that have to shift for it to work. Plus the three questions that guide any change. 14 min
✓Your certificateUnlocks when all six quizzes are passed.

Start lesson 1

This course grew out of the TOC fundamentals sessions I have taught. It pairs well with the games: each lesson points you to one where you can feel the idea, not just read it.