“An hour saved in a non-bottleneck is a mirage.” ~ Eliyahu Goldratt
A Vision with a Catch: Optimising for Real Efficiency in Your Business
In 2016, I played a pivotal role in a business transformation at NBN, working alongside more than 100 Continuous Improvement (CI) specialists. Our CEO, Bill Morrow, had a bold vision: improve every area of the business, and overall process flow would naturally enhance. It was a compelling vision, and the entire team was committed. Yet, as I focused on reducing the design validation cycle time, a crucial figure emerged from the shadows: the Bottleneck. This challenge reminded us that the path to operational excellence isn’t straightforward—it’s an intricate dance.
The Deeper Business Dilemma: Understanding Bottlenecks and System Boundaries
Bottlenecks, as part of the broader concept of system boundaries, demand:
- Analytical thinking
- Strategic patience
- Holistic solutions
Why Bottlenecks Matter to Your Business
Time lost at a bottleneck is time lost for the entire workflow. Bottlenecks thrive when:
- Teams hyper-focus on isolated improvements without considering the bigger picture.
- Key strategies are overlooked, causing inefficiencies to persist.
- Operations stagnate, allowing competitors to seize opportunities.
Key Challenges Bottlenecks Create:
- Disrupt overall capacity and efficiency.
- Hinder progress, even when individual areas are optimised.
- Force businesses to react instead of proactively strategise.
The NBN Case Study: A Lesson in Strategic Alignment
At NBN, we learned that fragmented process improvements led to:
- Mismatched advancements that didn’t align with the entire system.
- Increased delays and unexpected costs, highlighted by external observers like the Australian Financial Review.
Overcoming Bottlenecks for Sustainable Success
Steps to Take:
✅ Adopt an Innovative, Comprehensive Approach – Shift from reactive adjustments to a strategy that addresses the whole system.
✅ Guide Workflow Through Challenges – Turn friction into momentum by navigating bottlenecks with foresight.
✅ Utilise Training and Resources – Dive deeper with specialised training, such as our AI-Driven Six Sigma Black Belt course (Click Here).
To Make a System Thrive:
- Foster diverse perspectives to dismantle small constraints.
- Encourage contributions from all voices to maintain flow and prevent stagnation.
- Embrace a blend of logic, creativity, and strategic planning to craft unforeseen solutions.
Sustainable Success: Taking Action Now
I’m guessing you haven’t made a decision yet. But what if you don’t act? Your team risks staying in the same frustrating cycle, unable to move past bottlenecks while competitors advance. The costs grow, inefficiencies remain, and potential is left untapped.
Ask Yourself:
❓ How open-minded are you to changing this scenario?
❓ Are you ready to explore deeper insights and take the first step toward a seamless operation?
Let’s Work Together
There’s no way to convey all of this in a single blog post, which is why I’m offering one-on-one consultancy (Click Here). With tailored guidance, we can identify your unique bottlenecks and design strategies that transform challenges into growth opportunities.
Don’t let others take centre stage while you’re still rehearsing. Let’s ensure your system isn’t just functional—it’s extraordinary.
Further Reading & Resources:
📌 Independent Australia
📌 Financial Review
📚 Books to Read:
