Global Learning for Operational Leaders
Classroom
16 sessions
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Online / Live
16 sessions
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Introduction
Course overview
Every system has a constraint that limits its output. The theory of constraints helps organisations identify that constraint and focus improvement efforts where they will have the greatest impact on throughput.
This Aractech course explains the five focusing steps, constraint identification, drum-buffer-rope scheduling, throughput accounting, buffer management, policy constraints and applications in operations, projects and services. Participants analyse case systems and plan constraint-focused improvement.
The course offers a simple yet powerful approach to productivity improvement.
What you will achieve
Learning objectives
- Explain theory of constraints principles
- Identify physical and policy constraints
- Apply the five focusing steps
- Use drum-buffer-rope scheduling
- Apply throughput accounting for decisions
- Manage buffers and sustain improvement
Who should attend
Target audience
- Operations and production managers
- Planners and schedulers
- Continuous improvement professionals
- Project managers
- Finance managers
- General managers
Methodology
Learning approach
- Simulations
- Case studies
- Calculation exercises
- Group problem-solving
- Action planning
Complete course outline
Five focused days of learning and application
The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.
Day 1
Theory of Constraints Principles
- Systems and constraints
- Throughput focus
- Five focusing steps
- Myths of efficiency
- Coffee break
- Myths of efficiency (continued)
- Examples
- Simulation: Constraint game
Day 2
Identifying Constraints
- Physical constraints
- Market constraints
- Policy constraints
- Data analysis
- Coffee break
- Data analysis (continued)
- Bottleneck behaviour
- Exercise: Constraint identification
Day 3
Exploiting and Subordinating
- Maximising the constraint
- Subordination
- Drum-buffer-rope
- Buffer management
- Coffee break
- Buffer management (continued)
- Scheduling
- Workshop: DBR schedule
Day 4
Throughput Accounting
- Throughput, inventory and operating expense
- Decision-making
- Product mix
- Coffee break
- Product mix (continued)
- Comparison with cost accounting
- Exercise: Throughput decisions
Day 5
Applications and Sustainability
- Constraints in projects
- Services and supply chains
- Elevating constraints
- Avoiding inertia
- Coffee break
- Avoiding inertia (continued)
- Case study: TOC implementation
- Capstone: TOC improvement plan
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does Theory of Constraints for Productivity (QP-026) cover?
This course covers Quality and Productivity through a structured five-day outline focused on practical application, discussion, and implementation planning.
When is the next available session?
The next scheduled session starts on 2 - 6 November 2026. See the course schedules section for the available dates and delivery formats.
Who should attend this course?
Operations and production managers, Planners and schedulers, Continuous improvement professionals
Is bilingual course delivery available?
Yes. All course materials and presentations are provided in English, while bilingual explanation and discussion support may be available depending on the selected location and trainer availability. For example, when attending a course in Istanbul, you may request a Turkish-speaking trainer to explain the English course content in Turkish. Arabic explanation support may also be requested at this location. Other languages are available in selected cities. You can choose your preferred language support as an optional preference during registration.
How can I register for a session?
Use any Register button next to the available course dates to open the participant registration page and submit your booking request for the selected session.
Is this course available online as well as classroom-based?
Check the course schedules section for currently published classroom and Online / Live sessions.
Where are classroom sessions delivered?
Current classroom venues include Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Rome, Kuala lumpur, Geneva, Madrid, Barcelona, Istanbul.
How long is the training programme?
The programme runs for five days from 09:00 to 14:00, which gives 25 contact hours, including a daily 30-minute break (22.5 hours of instruction).
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