This is off the top of my head, so I've probably missed some steps. If you give a quick problem, I can solve it and then list the steps if I missed stuff:
1. Write out all the information. For example, if its a cylinder minimisation problem, write the equation for the volume of a cylinder etc.
2. Use the information to express one variable in terms of another. For example, if you know that one side of a rectange is twice the other, then if the side lengths are x and y, y=2x
3. Sub in this information into the equation you wrote down first off (in this case the area of a rectangle)
4. Differentiate and solve for 0 to find stationary points
5. Test nature of stationary points
6. Answer the question. For example, the question might ask for the minimum area or minimum side length etc. Use the information you just worked out to answer it.