Alleviating the Bottleneck

in Processing at
Green Valley Society:
A Recommendation Report

Prepared By: Mark Gray, Production Manager

October 21,
2015

Recommendation Report Outline

Introduction
Research Objectives
Research Results
Conclusions
Recommendations

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Introduction: Identifying Causes of

Bottleneck
Bottleneck- a place or stage in a process at
which progress is impeded.

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Introduction

(contd):

With a substantial increase in production of preconverted marijuana, Green Valley Society (GVS)
has recently experienced a timing issue while
converting marijuana to usable product ready
for sale
Identifying and eliminating the bottleneck is the
primary objective of this report. To achieve this,
we performed external research, internal
observations of the processing facility,
interviewed employees on effectiveness of
current procedures and to seek ideas to help
improve the process.
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Research Results

(contd):

Task 1. Examine Timilsina Case Study

Theory Of Constraints focuses on weak places where
improvement is necessary.
TOC follows five focused steps:

Identify the constraints

Exploit the constraints
Elevate the constraints
Repeat the cycle

Upon applying this information, we were able to clearly

identify people and process constraints as major contributors
while eliminating factors like environmental, equipment and
material constraints.
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Research Results

(contd):

Task 2. Interview GVS Managers

Processing facility is physically too small to
keep up with the large amount of product
coming from production
Having to move bins and containers multiple
times to make use of space add too many
redundant steps to the process
Lack of employees to do all of the work
required with the influx of product (cleaning,
bagging, tagging, packaging)
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Research Results

(contd):

Task 3. Observing Workflow of Processing Facility

Observing the facility with focused intentions
allowed us to key in on specific elements
relating to the bottleneck.
The ultimate result of this task was the
confirmation of data that was collected from
the previous tasks.
We were able to witness the constraints in
action and by doing so are able to offer
valuable recommendations for GVS moving
forward.
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Conclusion
From this research we were able to conclude that
people and process constraints are the key
factors contributing to the bottleneck.
It is recommended that the processing facility
undergo and expansion (refer to WSLCB approved
business plan) allowing for more space to store
product.
With this expansion comes the need to staff the
facility. Putting into place procedures for hiring,
training and scheduling will be necessary to meet
the needs of GVS.
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Recommendations
Two courses of action are recommended in an effort
to reduce or eliminate the bottleneck:
1. Expansion of processing structure. (Refer to
business plan submitted to WSLCB for
compliance related question i.e. camera
requirements, room additions, pre-approved
permitting)
2. Establish methods of hiring part-time/seasonal
workers.

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