A bottleneck is a point in a system, process, or operation where the flow of work or materials is slowed down or stopped due to a limitation in capacity. It is a constraint that prevents a system from operating at its maximum potential and can create a backlog of work or materials.

Bottlenecks can occur in any type of system or process, including manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and service industries. They can be caused by various factors, such as limited resources, inefficient processes, equipment breakdowns, or uneven workloads.

Identifying and resolving bottlenecks is critical for improving efficiency and productivity in any system or process. One way to do this is by conducting a bottleneck analysis, which involves identifying the point in the system or process where work is piling up or slowing down and determining the root cause of the problem.

Once the bottleneck is identified, strategies can be developed to alleviate the constraint and improve the flow of work or materials. Some common strategies include increasing capacity, improving processes, optimizing workloads, or investing in new equipment or technology.

Overall, effectively managing bottlenecks is essential for achieving maximum efficiency and productivity in any system or process.