“Theory of Constraints: Flying Through Bottlenecks” is a simulation that explores applying the Theory of Constraints and other Lean concepts to process optimization.

In this experiential workshop we launch a fictitious aerospace company, build and ship product, and track our financials to see how we are doing. We’ll apply the “Five Focusing Steps” from the Theory of Constraints, and other Lean/Agile practices to improve our operation and ultimately our profitability.

Learning Outcomes include:

• Profitability can be a better metric for productivity than resource utilization.
• Boosting performance of a bottleneck may not be the best first step.
• Optimizing all individual operations is not the same as optimizing the whole.
• Slowing down some operations can result in improved and predictable delivery times.