kattokyky

Kattokyky is a Finnish term used in operations management and engineering to denote the upper bound of what a system can achieve under given constraints. The word combines katto, meaning “ceiling,” with kyky, meaning “ability.” In practice, kattokyky refers to the maximum capacity, throughput, or performance that can be sustained by a process, machine, or organization within current resource and operating conditions.

The concept is related to, but distinct from, other capacity terms. Design capacity describes the theoretical maximum under ideal conditions, while kattokyky reflects the practical upper limit given real-world factors such as maintenance, downtime, variability, and setup times. It is often considered alongside bottlenecks, which are the specific constraints that determine the overall ceiling. Measuring kattokyky typically involves capacity planning, line balancing, and workload analysis, and it informs decisions about staffing, inventory, and process improvements.

In manufacturing and logistics, kattokyky can be expressed as a numerical throughput or as an overall limit on output within a time period. For example, a production line with two machines rated at 60 units per hour each has a nominal kattokyky of 120 units per hour, though actual output may be lower due to downtime and quality losses. The term is widely used in Finnish industry and service operations to communicate the maximum achievable performance under current conditions.