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Theory of Constraints and Bottleneck Management

Operations across South Africa often add resources everywhere to lift output, when the real limit sits at a single bottleneck that governs the whole flow. This course teaches the theory of constraints so managers can find the true constraint, protect it, and get more throughput from the plant or process they already have. The approach is practical and works in factories, workshops, and service operations alike.

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Register for this course

What you will be able to do

  • Explain how a single constraint governs the output of an entire system.
  • Identify the true bottleneck in a production or service process.
  • Apply the five focusing steps to exploit and elevate a constraint.
  • Protect the constraint using buffers without building excess stock everywhere.
  • Measure throughput, inventory, and operating expense to guide decisions.
  • Sustain higher output by managing the constraint over time.

Course outline

  1. 01How Constraints Govern System Output
  2. 02Finding the True Bottleneck
  3. 03The Five Focusing Steps
  4. 04Exploiting and Protecting the Constraint
  5. 05Buffer Management and Flow
  6. 06Throughput Accounting for Decisions
  7. 07Sustaining Higher Output

Who should attend

This course is designed for operations managers, production supervisors, planners, and continuous improvement practitioners who want to lift throughput without major capital investment.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendarRegister
28 to 29 Sep 2026Gaborone2US$1,100Closed
29 to 30 Sep 2026Maseru2US$1,100Register
30 Sep to 1 Oct 2026Mbabane2US$1,100Register
1 to 2 Oct 2026Lusaka2US$1,100Register
5 to 6 Oct 2026Harare2US$1,100Register
6 to 7 Oct 2026Lilongwe2US$1,100Register
7 to 8 Oct 2026Blantyre2US$1,100Register
8 to 9 Oct 2026Mozambique2US$1,100Register
12 to 13 Oct 2026Nairobi2US$1,100Register
13 to 14 Oct 2026Dar es Salaam2US$1,100Register
14 to 15 Oct 2026Kigali2US$1,100Register
15 to 16 Oct 2026Kampala2US$1,100Register
19 to 20 Oct 2026Accra2US$1,100Register
20 to 21 Oct 2026Lagos2US$1,100Register
21 to 22 Oct 2026Cairo2US$1,100Register
22 to 23 Oct 2026Mauritius2US$1,100Register
26 to 27 Oct 2026Dubai2US$1,100Register
27 to 28 Oct 2026Online2US$900Register
8 to 9 Dec 2026Johannesburg2R10,000Register
9 to 10 Dec 2026Cape Town2R10,000Register
10 to 11 Dec 2026Durban2R10,000Register
14 to 15 Dec 2026Pretoria2R10,000Register
17 to 18 Dec 2026Windhoek2US$1,100Register

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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