Pricing using Theory of Constraints PART 1

Deciding on pricing for your products or services tends to consume a lot of time and can even be stressful. Typically we are looking for a price that 1) will help us to achieve our financial goals; 2) meet or exceed the value perceived by the market place (will customers buy at that price?); and 3) establish the position, brand and image you desire in your supply chain.

The Theory of Constraints approach to pricing adds a slightly different perspective. When we first start working with a client we calculate the Throughput per Constraint Unit (T/CU) for each product/service. Here's how you do that.

1) List each product or category of products. If you have custom products, then use product categories. If you sell the same products multiple times, then list the individual products.
2) Calculate the Throughput(T) for each where T is the selling price minus the truly variable costs (TVCs). Typical TVCs are raw materials, sales commission, outside services, and freight.
3) Estimate how much of the constraint each product uses, how many constraint units. This is typically a time measure.
4) Divide #2 by #3 and you have T/CU for each product e.g. Throughput $ per minute.

Do this and now you have some information about your current pricing.

To be continued ...

Here's to Maximizing YOUR Profits!
"Dr Lisa" Lang

P.S. Check out our new Theory of Constraints Pricing Project! http://www.scienceofbusiness.com/Default.aspx?tabid=144