Definitionv1
Bottleneck-first optimization: the practice of identifying
Bottleneck-first optimization: the practice of identifying and improving only the constraint in a system, since improvements at non-constraint steps do not change system output
Why This Is a Definition
This definition captures the core methodological principle of the lesson by specifying both the identification and improvement process, and explicitly states the key constraint that only bottleneck improvements affect system output. It's precise enough to distinguish from other optimization approaches.
Source Lessons
Connections
Defines (16)
PrincipleDirect optimization effort exclusively at the system'sPrincipleBefore investing resources to expand constraint capacity,PrincipleConfigure all non-constraint processes to optimize thePrincipleAfter successfully improving a constraint, immediatelyPrincipleMeasure actual time consumed by each system component beforePrincipleDirect each optimization iteration at the single variablePrincipleWhen monitoring data shows stable satisfactory performancePrinciplePeriodically examine and revise the foundational assumptionsPrincipleMeasure where the system actually breaks down beforePrincipleMeasure agent execution frequency after speed optimization,PrincipleWhen agents reach optimization ceilings within their currentPrincipleHold measurement protocol constant across before-and-afterPrincipleWhen designing cognitive agents, examine the full patternPrincipleMake context switching costs visible through deliberatePrincipleIdentify your information pipeline bottleneck by testingPrincipleDefine routine chains at explicit trigger-action granularity