Theory of Constraints A throughput-limited system has one binding constraint. Improve only that constraint; local optimization of non-constraints wastes effort and often grows WIP. When to Use - Latency or throughput goal where one stage dominates time or rate. - Work piles up before one stage; downstream idles. - Adding capacity/workers elsewhere does not raise end-to-end output. - Need ordered plan: exploit cheaply before spending to elevate. When NOT to Use - Load is spread; no stage dominates—use systems for interactions. - Problem is correctness/fault, not flow rate—debug the fault. - Bo…