Managerial Accounting

study guides for every class

that actually explain what's on your next test

Constraint

from class:

Managerial Accounting

Definition

A constraint is a limitation or restriction on the availability of resources, such as time, labor, or materials. Constraints impact how businesses prioritize and allocate resources in decision-making processes.

congrats on reading the definition of constraint. now let's actually learn it.

ok, let's learn stuff

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Constraints necessitate prioritization of certain activities over others to maximize profitability.
  2. In managerial accounting, constraints are often identified through bottleneck analysis.
  3. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) provides a framework for managing constraints to improve business performance.
  4. When resources are constrained, decisions should focus on maximizing contribution margin per unit of the constrained resource.
  5. Identifying and addressing constraints can lead to more efficient production schedules and better financial outcomes.

Review Questions

  • What is a constraint in the context of managerial accounting?
  • How does the Theory of Constraints help in short-term decision making?
  • Why is it important to calculate the contribution margin per unit of the constrained resource?
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Glossary
Guides