CPIM Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct placement of the constraint buffer is before the operation that is identified as the constraint in a system, which is often referred to as the resource that limits overall throughput. In a linear sequence of operations, if operation B is the constraint, this means that it has the lowest capacity or slowest throughput compared to the other operations.

By placing the buffer before operation B, you ensure there is a sufficient quantity of inventory available to keep operation B running efficiently, thereby preventing delays and maximizing the flow through the system. The aim of the buffer is to absorb variability in upstream processes and to protect the constrained resource from disruptions caused by fluctuations in demand or supply.

Locating the buffer before any other operations would not effectively support the constraint, as it would not provide the necessary level of inventory to ensure operation B can continue working without interruption. Other operations could potentially have excess capacity or produce varying outputs, making them less critical for the establishment of a buffer that directly influences the constraint's performance. Therefore, placing the buffer before operation B optimizes the overall performance of the entire system by focusing on the maximizing productivity of the constraint.