The concept describes a strategy employed in various fields to optimize processes by establishing a lower limit on the duration required for a task, while simultaneously prioritizing the reduction of the overall resources expended. This approach contrasts with simply minimizing time, as it acknowledges that achieving absolute speed might demand disproportionately greater resources. For example, in manufacturing, setting a target production cycle that balances throughput with energy consumption and material waste would exemplify this concept. Driving a car slowly but steadily for long distances on a full tank of gasoline.
This method offers several benefits, including cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and risk mitigation. By avoiding the pursuit of absolute minimal durations, organizations can reduce energy consumption, minimize material waste, and prevent equipment stress. The historical context reveals its emergence from resource constraints and an increasing awareness of the unintended consequences of solely prioritizing speed. An interesting point to note, for example, is during the Industrial revolution manufacturers had to choose between quality of production versus how fast the machines would deliver the products.
