Unlock Over 2,000 Lessons

Subscribe today and join the thousands of worldclass organizations already learning with Gemba Academy.

View our pricing

Log In

Theory of Constraints

Drum-Buffer-Rope Basics

Drum-buffer-rope, or DBR, is a sched­ul­ing and exe­cu­tion method that syn­chro­nizes the pace of work to the pace of the system’s con­straint. Learn the five steps to estab­lish­ing a DBR sys­tem, com­mon mis­takes to avoid, and the role of lead­er­ship in ensur­ing the suc­cess of DBR.

Course Videos

1

What Is Theory of Constraints (TOC)?

03:36

 2

What Is a Constraint in TOC?

05:22Members only

 3

TOC Mindset: Throughput, Inventory, Operating Expense

03:21Members only

 4

The Five Focusing Steps of TOC

04:11Members only

 5

TOC Step 1: Identify the Constraint

03:09Members only

 6

TOC Step 2: Exploit the Constraint

04:11Members only

 7

TOC Step 3: Subordinate Everything Else

04:56Members only

 8

TOC Step 4: Elevate the Constraint

03:48Members only

 9

TOC Step 5: Prevent Inertia & Repeat

03:08Members only

 10

Cause-and-Effect Thinking with the Current Reality Tree

06:42Members only

 11

Resolving Conflicts with the Evaporating Cloud

07:47Members only

 12

Designing Breakthrough Solutions with the Future Reality Tree

04:16Members only

 13

Overcoming Obstacles with the Prerequisite Tree

07:01Members only

 14

Turning Plans into Action with the Transition Tree

05:37Members only

Current Video

Drum-Buffer-Rope Basics

05:17Members only

16

Next VideoManaging Buffers

05:43Members only

 17

What Is CCPM Critical Chain Project Management?

07:42Members only

 18

Throughput Accounting Basics

05:09Members only

 19

Theory Of Constraints Case Study

05:22Members only

You must be logged in to access Gemba Academy resources.

Video Resources

Quiz

Downloads

Course Resources

Quiz

Next Video Managing Buffers 

The the­o­ry of con­straints uses buffers to pro­tect the system’s con­straint. Buffers are not just extra inven­to­ry. Instead, it’s a care­ful­ly sized cush­ion of time, mate­r­i­al, or capac­i­ty. Learn the dif­fer­ent types of buffers we can use in var­i­ous work envi­ron­ments, the steps for imple­ment­ing buffer man­age­ment, com­mon mis­takes to avoid, and the role of lead­er­ship in ensur­ing success.