But each unit needs 3 components. Assuming components are the bottleneck, and supply limits production, we find how many can be completed based on available components.

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:17:44 +0000

How Components Limit Production: Optimizing Output Based on Available Bottlenecks In manufacturing and production planning, understanding bottlenecks is critical to maximizing output. A key insight is that each finished unit depends on three essential components—let’s define these as Component A, Component B, and Component C—each of which is limited in supply and capable of constraining overall production. If your production line is bottlenecked at the component level, knowing how to calculate how many full units can be completed becomes essential for scheduling, procurement, and operational efficiency. ### Why Components Are the Bottleneck Imagine a factory assembling complex products where each end item requires three parts: the chassis, the power unit, and the control board. Even if labor and machinery are abundant, production halts when one of these components runs low. Since all units require all three parts, the weakest link—the scarcest component—determines the maximum number of complete units.