bottleneckek

A bottleneck is a point in a process where throughput is limited, constraining overall system performance. The term is used across manufacturing, computing, project management, logistics, and natural sciences to describe choke points that slow a system. In Hungarian usage, bottleneckek is the plural form of bottleneck, and the concept remains the same.

In essence, a bottleneck occurs when the capacity of one stage or component is lower than the demand placed on it, causing queues, longer cycle times, and reduced total output. Bottlenecks determine the system’s maximum sustainable throughput and often shape the work-in-progress inventory.

Identification relies on flow mapping and measurement of throughput, cycle time, and queue lengths at each stage. Tools from queuing theory, value-stream mapping, and the Theory of Constraints help locate the bottleneck. Bottlenecks can shift over time as demand or conditions change.

Mitigation involves increasing capacity at the bottleneck, redistributing work, improving reliability, or redesigning the process to balance load. In software and IT, bottlenecks may be CPU, memory, disk I/O, or network bandwidth; in manufacturing, equipment or a single station; in projects, critical path tasks. The main goal is to elevate the bottleneck or subordinate other parts to smooth flow. Etymology: The term derives from the narrow neck of a bottle, metaphorically indicating the constriction point that limits a system’s throughput.