Step 5: Repeat Process: Does a New Constraint Limit Throughput?
Eventually, the drilling resource constraint will be elevated to a point where the constraint
is no longer binding. Suppose, for example, that the company adds a full shift for the drilling operation, increasing the resource availability to 240 hours. The new
constraint set is shown in Exhibit 21-12. Notice that the drilling constraint no longer
affects the optimal mix decision. The grinding and polishing resource constraints are
possible candidates for the new drummer constraint. Once the drummer constraint is
identified, then the TOC process is repeated (step 5). The objective is to continually
improve performance by managing constraints. Do not allow inertia to cause a new
constraint. Focus now on the next-weakest link.