What term is used to describe a capacity constraint that leads to a backlog?

The term used to describe a capacity constraint that leads to a backlog is "Bottleneck." In the context of business processes, a bottleneck refers to a specific point in the workflow where the capacity is limited compared to the demand, resulting in delays and a buildup of work-in-progress. This occurs because the flow of work through the process slows down at this point, rendering it unable to handle the volume of tasks efficiently. Identifying bottlenecks is essential for optimizing processes, as addressing these constraints can significantly enhance overall productivity and throughput.

Other terms like "Obstruction," "Limitation," and "Throttle" do not specifically represent the phenomenon of a capacity constraint causing delays in the same way that "Bottleneck" does. While each may have relevant meanings in different contexts, they do not encapsulate the definition of a point in a process where work accumulates due to insufficient capacity.