Bottlenecks in Process

Bottlenecks in a Process

Dana R. Guthrie

OPS 571

Jesse Conques

July 30, 2012

Bottlenecks Identified in Driving to Work

A bottleneck refers to a hindrance to progress or production. It is very important to understand the process of bottlenecks because it can help with prioritizing a daily routine by applying the Goldratt theory of constraints. The theory of constraints is based on the idea of using scientific principles and logic to guide human-based organizations in their decision-making processes. This paper will contain the two bottlenecks encountered in my daily routine and how the theory of constraints can be used to overcome the two processes.

The process of driving to work is not always straightforward; it is multifarious in some capacity. The daily excursion, which at times may last up to 29 minutes potentially, may include unforeseen events such as car wrecks, sudden stops, school buses, etc. – all that have the potential to complicate the process. Nonetheless, it is apparent that the main bottleneck is the point in which the driver needs to make a determination if there is enough gas to get to work.

In general, a bottleneck takes place when the capacity for production in one process is larger than the capacity for production capacity in the subsequent process. The driver enters the vehicle, opens the garage door, puts on the seatbelt, turns on the vehicle, and drives safely out of the garage. Assuming the garage door and vehicle function properly, the processes will flow normally without acquiring deficiencies in capacity; however, the potential for a bottleneck does occur thereafter.

Once the driver pulls out of the garage, there is a hindrance pertaining to the driver's capacity to drive directly to work. If the driver has an adequate supply of gas, the automobile has the capacity to let the driver proceed to the final destination. Nonetheless, if there is not an adequate supply of gas, the driver must drive to the closest gas station to...