bottlenecking
Slowing the flow
Bottlenecking is creating or experiencing a bottleneck—a point where flow is restricted and things back up.
In computing, a slow component bottlenecks the whole system: The old hard drive was bottlenecking performance.
In genetics, population bottlenecking occurs when numbers drop drastically, reducing genetic diversity.
Traffic, production lines, and bureaucratic processes can all suffer from bottlenecking.
Complete mutual obstruction
- logjamObstruction halting flow
- snarl-upTangled traffic situation
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- clogBlock or wooden shoe
jam · pileup · tie-up · standstill · rush-hour · tailback · bumper-to-bumper · blockage
Processing rate over time
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- slowdownReduction in pace
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
- queueOrdered waiting line
latency · lag · downtime · holdback · constraint · capacity · bandwidth · pipeline
Narrow passage limiting movement
- narrowsConstricted water passage
- straitConstricted marine passage
- funnelCone directing flow
- passageSegment of text
corridor · isthmus · canal · valve · gateway · tunnel · bridge · causeway
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
cap · ceiling · threshold · brake · curb · handicap · limit · encumbrance
Theft by threat
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- lagPeriod of falling behind
- latencyDelay in system response
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
pause · suspension · setback · slowdown · deferment · hesitation · interruption · snag
gridlock
Complete mutual obstruction
clog · jam · pileup · tie-up · standstill · rush-hour · tailback · bumper-to-bumper · blockage · snarl
throughput
Processing rate over time
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- slowdownReduction in pace
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
queue · latency · lag · downtime · holdback · constraint · capacity · bandwidth · pipeline · processing
chokepoint
Narrow passage limiting movement
passage · corridor · isthmus · canal · valve · gateway · tunnel · bridge · causeway · squeeze
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- hindranceBarrier to progress
impediment · cap · ceiling · threshold · brake · curb · handicap · limit · encumbrance · curtailment
holdup
Theft by threat
stalling · pause · suspension · setback · slowdown · deferment · hesitation · interruption · snag · hang-up
- crowdingcrowding, gathering, clustering, bunching, congregating
bottleneckingfree-flowing
Moving without restriction
flowing freely · streamlining · unobstructed · wide open · unrestricted
bottleneckingoptimizing
Improving to best effect
accelerating · expediting · facilitating · smoothing · enabling
bottleneckingscaling
Climbing or resizing
load balancing · distributing · overcapacity · excess capacity · headroom
neck, bottle, choking, narrowing, bottleneck, constriction, bottlenecks, throttling, bottlenecked