The session introduces the Theory of Constraints and explains the 5 Focusing Steps. Throughout all the advances in the Theory of Constraints in the past 18 years, these 5 steps are still the heart of the TOC in action.

The group then applies the 5 steps to a small business example to illustrate how the principles become detailed policies and procedures, in practice. Participants quickly recognize that the real constraint of the organization was a Policy Constraint - a belief system that is embedded in most manufacturing companies, and the policies, procedures, measurements and (most of all) behaviors that fall in place with that belief system. 

It becomes obvious to management, especially with reference to their own experience and the realities of their current business environment, that this core problem lies at the heart of a whole flock of problematic symptoms in every environment. There's an immediate consensus in the group that if the core problem is not identified and resolved, the symptoms will remain.

We then walk through examples associated with production, engineering, R&D, Quality, finance, distribution, project management, sales and marketing, and human relations. After developing consensus on the shape that the core problem takes in each of the different environments, we introduce the different "solutions"  – Synchronous Manufacturing, the Distribution and Supply Chain solutions, the Theory of Constraints Sales and Marketing Solutions (aka the "Unrefusable Offer" and "Mafia Offer" ... although there is a LOT more to the topic), and Critical Chain Project Management.

By this stage it is clear to participants that the Theory of Constraints approach is indeed generic, offering a powerful and leveraged basis for improvements in any environment, profit or non-profit; and wholistic, working at the level of the business as a whole - not just a production solution.

Finally the Thinking Processes themselves are presented as the basis to be used to identify Core Problems and construct simple, practical solutions in any environment – not just those for which generic solutions have already been established.