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Project Management Glossary

Bottleneck

A Bottleneck is a stage in the workflow where progress is slowed down because one task or process takes longer than expected, delaying other tasks.

Jenna Green
Head of Growth
2 mins
·
Updated
November 28, 2025

What is a Bottleneck?

A Bottleneck is a stage in the workflow where progress is slowed down because one task or process takes longer than expected, delaying other tasks. Bottlenecks can severely impact deadlines and team productivity if not addressed quickly.

  • How to resolve it:
    • Identify where in the process the Bottleneck is occurring by tracking task completion times and workload distribution.
    • Redistribute work to other team members or departments to alleviate the pressure on the bottlenecked area.
    • Automate repetitive tasks or streamline processes that are causing delays.
    • Tip: Regularly reviewing workflow data can help you identify bottlenecks early before they become a significant issue.
About the author
Jenna Green
Head of Growth
Jenna Green leads marketing at Magnetic. She's worked across agencies, startups, and B2B SaaS, giving her first-hand experience of the operational challenges service firms face.
Startup Marketing & Growth
B2B SaaS Marketing
Content Strategy & Demand Generation
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