National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Industrial and Systems Practice Exam

The term "bottleneck" in a production process refers to a point in the process where the flow of materials or information is limited, which results in delays and reduced output. At the bottleneck, the capacity of the production process is constrained, leading to slower overall performance of the system. This occurs because the rate of production at this specific point cannot keep pace with the preceding and following stages, which can lead to a backlog of work and inefficiencies within the entire system.

Identifying and addressing the bottleneck is crucial for improving overall throughput and productivity. By increasing the capacity at the bottleneck, or by redistributing resources to alleviate the congestion, a company can enhance its operational efficiency and meet production targets more effectively. Understanding this concept is vital for process improvement methodologies, such as Lean and Six Sigma, which aim to minimize waste and optimize workflow in manufacturing and service environments.