Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, 2026, 16(1), 2023-177
Strategic Bottleneck-Focused Improvement Methodology for Manufacturing Throughput
Professor, School of Engineering, Eastern Michigan University, Yisplanti, Michigan, USA, E-mail: htang2@emich.edu
Project Management
Received November 12, 2023; revised May 14, 2025; June 20, 2025; accepted July 30, 2025
Available online December 24, 2025
Abstract: Achieving manufacturing throughput excellence is imperative for profitability across various industry sectors. This paper addresses the critical challenge of optimizing manufacturing throughput by introducing a data-driven approach that focuses on identifying and resolving bottlenecks. By leveraging the standalone concept for KPIs (key performance indicators), such as operational availability and throughput rate, this approach can accurately pinpoint bottlenecks. The methodology establishes a robust framework for enhancing throughput, emphasizing the critical role of bottleneck identification in achieving operational excellence. Additionally, it incorporates a drill-down root cause analysis, delving into the intricacies of equipment and process steps. The study underscores the significance of this bottleneck-focused methodology and provides insights into key considerations when implementing it in real-world applications.
Keywords: Throughput, manufacturing, bottleneck identification, KPI, continuous improvement.
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Citation: Tang, H. (2026). Strategic Bottleneck-Focused Improvement Methodology for Manufacturing Throughput. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, 16(1), 2023-177.
DOI:
10.32738/JEPPM-2023-177
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