Motivations: What is Constraint Theory and why is it important?- The Four-fold way: How to Perceive Complex Mathematical Models and Well-Posed Problems.- General Results: From Protomath to Math to Metamath.- Regular Relations: Searching for the Kernels of Constraint.- Discrete and Interval Relations: The Diminished Utility of Metamodels.- The Logical Structure of Constraint: Theory A Compact Summary.- Examples of Constraint Theory Applied to Real-World Problems.- Manager and Analyst Meet Again: Gists and Schizophrenia.

At first glance, this might appear to be a book on mathematics, but it is really intended for the practical engineer who wishes to gain greater control of the multidimensional mathematical models which are increasingly an important part of his environment. Another feature of the book is that it attempts to balance left- and right-brain perceptions; the author has noticed that many graph theory books are disturbingly light on actual topological pictures of their material. One thing that this book is not is a depiction of the Theory of Constraints, as defined by Eliyahu Goldratt in the 1980's. Constraint Theory was originally defined by the author in his PhD dissertation in 1967 and subsequent papers written over the following decade. It strives to employ more of a mathematical foundation to complexity than the Theory of Constraints. This merely attempts to differentiate this book from Goldratt's work, not demean his efforts. After all, the main body of work in the field of 1 Systems Engineering is still largely qualitative .