Reader 19
When Output Does Not Keep Up
Output levels across several operations have started to fall behind expectations as demand continued to increase. At first, the gap between output and demand appeared small, and teams were able to make up the difference by working more efficiently and adjusting priorities.
As demand continued to grow, those efforts became harder to sustain. Some operations pushed forward to keep up, increasing activity where possible, while others began to fall behind as limitations became more apparent. Differences between areas became more noticeable as some maintained output while others struggled.
Over time, the gap between output and demand remained, with ongoing efforts to manage the difference. Some areas adjusted quickly, while others continued to face challenges in keeping pace.
SPEAK
Tell what happened.
What would you do in this situation?
Why did output fall behind?
LISTEN
Opinion:
“When demand rises faster than output, it can be difficult to stay balanced.”
Question:
What affects how output responds to demand?
WRITE
Explain what you think caused this situation.
