How this process works
How to identify production bottlenecks
Find where work actually waits, instead of where people say it waits.
Walk the floor at the same time every day
Note where jobs are waiting and for what. After a week, the same two or three places will keep appearing.
Record waiting, not only running
- Waiting for material
- Waiting for a machine
- Waiting for inspection
- Waiting for a decision
Protect the bottleneck
The slowest operation sets the pace for the whole factory. Make sure it never waits for material, tools or people.