APPROACHES TO THE ANALYSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF FLOATING CAPACITY BOTTLENECKS

Theory of Constraints (TOC) is considered a promising approach to material flow control. Successful applications are implemented in companies where production includes fixed capacity bottlenecks. However, key limitations in many production companies are the floating capacity bottlenecks, i.e. the workplaces or devices that tend to become bottlenecks depending on the portfolio of products processed. These bottlenecks significantly complicate applying the relatively simple TOC principles and tools. Putting them into practice is limited especially by the lack of knowledge and of systematic procedures for analysis and identification of floating bottlenecks. The paper presents possible ways to elimination of mentioned problem based on capacity calculations and computer simulation.