Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

During which phase of the TOC process should you adjust subordinate processes?

1. Identifying the constraint.

2. Exploiting the constraint.

3. Subordinating processes.

4. Monitoring the change.

The correct answer is: Exploiting the constraint.

During the exploitation phase of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) process, the focus is on making the most of the constraint. This involves optimizing the performance of the constraint itself by ensuring it's operating at maximum efficiency and output. In this context, adjusting subordinate processes is crucial because these processes must align with and support the flow of work through the constraint. If a subordinate process is not synchronized with the constraint's capacity, it can lead to bottlenecks or inefficiencies that prevent the system from achieving its potential throughput. Therefore, during the exploitation phase, making the necessary adjustments to subordinate processes ensures that they operate effectively in support of the constraint, maximizing the overall output of the system. This phase emphasizes the importance of not overburdening the constraint while making sure that upstream and downstream processes are set to enable the constraint to operate smoothly and continuously. Aligning these processes can prevent any disruptions that could hinder productivity and throughput.