Capacity constraints can originate from human resource limitations, machine tool limitations, and equipment downtime, as well as poor or arbitrary operations management.
With guidance, the solution can often be inexpensive; purchase of a different (usually more simple) machine tool, relegation of less frequent products or work scopes to a separate line, or Total Predictive Maintenance (TPM) of equipment to reduce downtime.
Managing a team of people engaged in the manufacture or repair of a product to be responsive to customer needs, deliver high margin results on time, and do it safely, is a challenging position. Responding to changes in demand or in labor availability consumes a manager's time. It is much easier if rules – Standard Operating Procedures – are developed, implemented and followed. With good rules in place a team can function more autonomously, leaving Managers free to do more important work.