Identify the actual constraint

Identify the factor that currently places the strongest limit on your chosen goals. This could be weak customer demand, limited cash, insufficient skills, an overloaded process, or an internal rule that delays decisions.

Follow how customers, work, and money move through the business, using records, observation, and employee feedback to investigate recurring delays and missed opportunities. Look for underlying causes: late deliveries, for example, might begin with incomplete orders that repeatedly need clarification.

Before committing to a solution, check whether relieving the suspected constraint is likely to improve overall results and what other obstacles could limit the benefit.