Constraint is the element factor or a subsystem that works as a bottleneck. It restricts an entity, project, or system (such as a manufacturing or decision making process) from achieving its potential (or higher level of output) with reference to its goal. Constraint may refer to:
- Theory of Constraints, in business management
- Loading gauge or structure gauge (constraints in engineering)
- A constraint on constrained writing, in literature
- For example, Oulipian constraints
In mathematics
- Constraint (mathematics)
- Constraint (information theory)
- Constraint algorithm such as SHAKE, or LINCS
In computing
- Constraint satisfaction, in computer science
- Finite domain constraints, in constraint satisfaction.
- Integrity constraints, an element of database design