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constraints

5 methods with this tag.

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Systems Thinking

Current Reality Tree

Clarifies connections, patterns, and leverage points by collecting undesirable effects, formulating causal links, and deriving interventions.

Core question: Which few core causes lie under the system's undesirable effects, and at which leverage points would an intervention resolve the most UDEs at once?

Mapping toolHighWorkshop
2-6 h
3-8

Run sheet · visual · session plan

Operations

Theory of Constraints

Turns workflows, data, causes, and improvements into a tangible result by clarifying the system goal, identifying the bottleneck, and repeating the cycle after expansion.

Core question: Which process step currently limits overall throughput, how can this constraint be exploited to the maximum, and which escalation level (exploit, subordinate, elevate) is next?

Operating practiceHighWorkshop + async
2-4 h Analyse, laufend
3-12

Run sheet · visual · session plan

Operations

Bottleneck Analysis

Turns workflows, data, causes, and improvements into a tangible result by mapping the process flow, measuring waiting time and WIP, and re-evaluating the bottleneck after changes.

Core question: Where does work accumulate in the process, which step limits overall throughput, and which escalation level, utilization, subordination, or elevation, is the next effective move?

Operating practiceMediumWorkshop + async
1-3 h
3-8

Run sheet · visual · session plan

Systems Thinking

Theory of Constraints Thinking Process

Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by collecting undesirable effects, modeling root causes, and deriving obstacles and implementation steps.

Core question: Which core conflicts and root causes generate the observed UDEs, which changes resolve them, and which prerequisites and transitions are needed to implement the changes?

Process modelHighWorkshop
0.5-3 Tage
4-10

Run sheet · visual · session plan

Decision Making

Constraint Analysis

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining the problem or decision boundary, collecting constraints, and deriving design or decision rules.

Core question: Which hard and soft constraints limit the solution space, and which of them are negotiable?

Decision methodLowWorkshop + async
30-90 min
2-8

Run sheet · visual · session plan