Speed versus Bottlenecks
The pursuit of speed and agility is constrained by bottlenecks. Bottlenecks arise as a consequence of striving for functional efficiency. The premise is that maximizing profit requires that we optimize the use of resources. Since people tend to be the most expensive resource, being efficient demands that everyone be kept busy all the time. It’s easier to measure efficiency by focusing on narrow, functional processes, without regard to cross-functional work flow and resulting outcomes. In pursuit of efficiency, …
