Glossary
Bottleneck
The resource that limits how much the whole operation can produce.
Technical definition
The constraint with the least capacity relative to demand, which sets the throughput ceiling for the system.
Manufacturing example
If one press can only run 80% of demand, it is the bottleneck no matter how fast everything else runs.
Common misconception
The bottleneck is not always the slowest machine; it is the one that constrains the flow relative to demand, and it can move.
Why it matters operationally
Improvements away from the bottleneck rarely increase throughput; the bottleneck must be managed directly.
Related ConstraintFlow capability
Related terms
Put bottleneck to work
See how ConstraintFlow turns operational concepts into optimized decisions.