Beyond the Theory of Constraints: How to Eliminate Variation & Maximize Capacity

The basic principle of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) is the impossibility of running a balanced factory at 100 percent capacity. Variation in processing and material transfer times is the root cause of longer cycle times and higher inventories, which can hinder the ability to run a factory at full capacity.

In Beyond the Theory of Constraints, William Levinson challenges this basic principle by stating that variation in processing and material transfer times comes from special or assignabl...